AWSC LEGISLATIVE DAY AND ISSUES
WHEN: Thursday, March 26th, 2009
WHERE: Concourse Hotel, 1 W. Dayton Street, Madison
(1 block off Capitol Square at corners of Dayton Street & Wisconsin Avenue)
The AWSC's conference room at the Concourse Hotel will open at 9:00 a.m. We will gather officially at 10:00 a.m. for a briefing before we proceed to the State Capitol.
We strongly encourage each of you to contact your legislators in advance of March 26th to schedule meetings or to simply inform them you will be visiting their offices. Inform legislative staff you intend to discuss AWSC issues and that your scheduled meeting should not require more than 15 minutes.
We suggest you arrange your meetings between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on that day. Our Legislative Day should conclude at approximately 2:00 p.m.
BUS INFORMATION
* Eau Claire to Madison: Contact Doug Johnson (715) 268-6025 or djsnow@amerytel.net
* Wausau to Madison: Contact Dodd & Tess Barkow (715) 257-1427 or teamtnt2000@yahoo.com
* Green Bay to Madison: Contact Andy Malecki (920) 494-3052 or afmelm@sbcglobal.net
At this time, there are 3 AWSC-sponsored buses reserved for March 26th. We encourage you to choose a bus closest to you and then contact the individual (listed above) coordinating travel.
If you have additional questions or need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact Morris Nelson at (608) 884-8461.
Upon your arrival in Madison, we will provide updated briefing materials and handouts.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES - 2009-2010 SESSION
It is the Wisconsin snowmobiler who is responsible for our state's nationally-acclaimed trail system. It is the volunteer snowmobiler -- not some state entity -- who works with land owners to acquire access to properties, and works year-round to groom, grade and maintain our trails.
The millions of dollars these volunteers spend out-of-pocket on grooming machines, on fuel, on trail signs and markings, and various expenses provide a tourism magnet and revenue stream beneficial to all Wisconsin residents.
In return, the Wisconsin snowmobiler asks for little from government beyond the necessary enforcement of safety measures and maintenance of registration and permitting records. To further burden these volunteers with additional expenses is unfair, and we specifically cite:
* Use of the Snowmobile Segregated Account to procide for DNR Wardens
Although the AWSC desires to contribute its fair share toward warden enforcement, funds designed to remedy annual shortfalls in Supplement Funds have been raided to balance the DNR's budget in order to compensate wardens.
At the request of the AWSC, Governor Doyle in 2008 signed into law an increase in the non-resident Trail Pass Fee. This increase was requested solely to fund trail maintenance programs.
In the past, warden enforcement funding typically derived from the Gaming Fund. This latest DNR Agency Budget directs $128,000 from the Snowmobile Segregated Account to warden enforcement.
The AWSC also encourages legislators to consider the following:
* Past & Present Safety Issues
It is the AWSC which brought about the current dusk-to-dawn 55 MPH limit.
It is the AWSC which created mandatory youth safety training programs.
The AWSC has endrosed and funded past enforcement programs designed to foster the visible presence of wardens on our trails. The AWSC is currently working with the DNR, recretational vehicle interest groups and the public to create sensible, uniform programs to prevent operating on trails while under the influence of alcohol.
* Discounted Trail Pass Fee for Snowmobile Club Members (C.A.P. Program)
At a later date, the AWSC may present to the Legistlature a request to raise the Resident Trail Pass Fee to $35/year.
That same request would include a provision which retains the current $15/year Trail Pass Fee for club members to offset costs related to trail maintenance.
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