LIVE FROM THE SUMMER FUNDING MEETING IN WENATCHEE

[JETJOHNSO]

yes on the gas tax.

Yes we do get money back from the state for our gas tax, it works out to ruffly $ 32 per sled, (quick #'s) times the number of sleds registered, but with sled registrations down, grooming costing way more than it did 10 years ago, you can see why we are short of money to run the program like years past.

 

[94fordguy]

Got 1 question as i have only been in sport for a couple years now (and now have 4 sleds) i like the trail grooming and my question is doesn't some of the gas tax go toward this from the gas we buy for our sleds????? and since we don't drive them on asfault (if i can avoid it ) shouldn't state more than gladly turn over these funds for grooming???? just a thought or am i way off???

Yup, that is already included... something on the order of $0.25 x 135 gallons per each registered sled. So the folks that don't register their sleds are actually hurting the system more than the $35 they are not paying a registration on... it's actually closer to double that.

 

[blk9038]

Thanks guys for bringing me up to speed on this , my group has increased from 2 years ago and is growing right now ,also looking fwd to another great season like the last 2 and hope to sneak in a few more rides than others, we also all register our sleds and appriciate the grooming when we get it, hope to add at least 4 more new riders this season like last and keep sport growing around here.
The guy that brought me into the sport got back into it 2 years ago also and 1 year ago i ended up purchacing his old 1997 skidoo 440 mxz that his kids learned to sled on (he bought it new) i am 4th owner he didn't know the 3rd, there have been 3 people last season that also learned on that loaner sled and i hope to keep it thru when his grankids start riding it too, (there ya got it Rudy) so kind of keeping it in the family as i will probably end up giving it to one of his kids as their familys grows up.

 

[tar]

After spending part of yesterday and last night in the State parks meeting I can tell you next season does not look good, we'll get more info today. I can tell you that this past season we only had 28,428 sled registered. That's the lowest number since 1997. I know some of you are going to say "bull" but these are the numbers from DMV. they dont lie. Not sure where the cut backs will come from but we will need to cut a lot of programs back today when we go thru the budget. sorry just the facts, More to come soon. The state parks survey did reveal some interesting items. yes most people think we need to raise our fee's ,,,, but there are still a lot of people who dont want to. I'll give you all a better run down on this too. It's literaly an act of congress to change our reg fee's. this will take about 2 years if we got it done right now. The WSSA meeting coming up in a few weeks will be the most critical meeting I think we've ever had. Should be interested, with out WSSA on our side to raise fee's,,,,,, It will not happen, just some info
thanks dan

28,428 registered sleds, I can believe the numbers are down, I have many freinds that have just quit the sport, due to the cost of sleds, cost of fuel, fewer places to ride, to many rules and restrictions,doing other things like atvs, motorcycles etc.

I have been riding before there was a grooming program,what we have now(WHERE I ride) is a waste of time, the grooming (WHERE I ride) is a joke and I wish it was the way it was before grooming, Blast away! I'am just being honest,

Honestly, I'm thinking the same way as my friends. 28,426 registered sleds next season?

Tar

 

[JETJOHNSO]

TAR ,,, NOT SURE WHERE YOU RIDE BUT;;;;;;

I'm sure there are a lot of riders up in your area that would disagree with you, the Baker area gets hit pretty hard, More grooming is needed up there for sure, The groomers do a good job with what they have to work with, It doesnt take to many sleds to rip up a trail groomed the night berfore, It's not a cheep sport , we all know that. But neither is boating, motorcycling, jeeping, skiing / snowboarding ect ect. If you want to play, we have to pay unfortunately

 

[tar]

I stand by what I said,and I'am not alone.

Tar