Senate Votes Unanimously To Reverse Sweep

Sen. Aubertine: Put the $1 million taken from snowmobilers back where it belongs

ALBANY (June 18, 2008)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today restated his call for Gov. David Paterson’s administration to restore $1 million taken from the state’s snowmobile trail development fund and joined his colleagues in a unanimous vote on legislation to put the money back in the dedicated fund.

“We’re speaking very clearly across party lines here: This money must be returned to the snowmobile clubs,” Sen. Aubertine said. “This is about doing what’s right. The snowmobile clubs asked the state for these fees so that the money would be available for the trails, not the general fund.”

Sen. Aubertine has expressed his opinions to Gov. Paterson and in April he sent a letter to Budget Director Laura L. Anglin in which he wrote that the removal of $1 million raised by registration fees for snowmobile enthusiasts will short change the trail fund. The lack of funding would hinder work done on trails early next season since the fund, which had a balance of about $7 million, is already earmarked for $6.25 million toward trail maintenance from this past season.

“This money was part of a dedicated fund and should not have been touched,” Sen. Aubertine said. “Winter tourism in Central and Northern New York depends on snowmobilers and the trails they ride depend on this money. We need to put this money back where it belongs.”