As you may now be aware, NYSSA learned late Friday (04/11) that on March 7th or thereabouts, acting in accordance with Section 15 of Part T of Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2007, the Director of the Budget directed the State Comptroller’s office to transfer $100 million in available fund balances in Miscellaneous Special Revenue accounts to the state’s General Fund. As part of this transfer of these funds, $1 million was transferred from the Snowmobile Trail Development and Management Account.

Please know NYSSA is adamantly opposed to the raid on this fund and is fighting to have this action overturned.

The sweep of this money undermines the credibility of the fund, violates a public trust and will devastate our ability to adequately and safely maintain the state trail system and consequently jeopardize the impact snowmobiling will have on the upstate winter economy.

Working with our government affairs and public relations consultants, we have already taken appropriate and necessary action to convey our strong opposition to New York State government leaders. These activities include:
- Sending a letter of opposition to Governor Paterson
- Meetings with key Legislators
- Contacting NYSOPRHP and Division of Budget officials

Club Presidents and District Directors have received NYSSA’s communications plan that includes a NYSSA "call to action", to contact their respective Senators and Assembly representatives. Club presidents have been provided with the specific details of our message in order to ensure a clear, consistent, and resolute message. As I stated in my address yesterday, if we speak with one voice we will be successful. Please know that we will continue to expand and enhance these efforts with the goal of convincing state leaders to rescind this damaging proposal and put in place any and all necessary language that would prohibit such a raiding of this fund in the future.

Please stay tuned for important updates on this very serious matter as this effort develops.

Mike Fischer,
NYSSA President

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NYSSA President
CPB Vice President