Legislative News Random Prattling, Jabbering & Natterings and an apology
our sport. In my column, I strayed from that focus by writing about stuff that folks seem to have strong feelings about. With that in mind, I apologize to those good people who may have been offended by my comments and henceforth my columns will be about the betterment of our sport. I still will speak only for myself and try to be fun to read, informative, and interesting. Speaking of our sport:
An opinion column by Doug Franzen While putting my finishing touches on this issue’s column, I received an email from a reader, presumably a member. The reader was upset about my column in the last edition of Minnesota Snowmobiling and made it clear exactly what he thought of me in quite colorful language. The point of the reader’s gripe was that my column was politically divisive and offensive to some snowmobilers with contrary opinion, and that important stakeholders in MnUSA like our landowners, members, and legislative friends might withdraw their support. Rather than continue the conversation, I decided to think about the content of what the reader meant and reply again in the morning. However, upon reflection I realized the guy had a point. I began to understand that his point was well taken. He was right! That is, except about me being a low IQ idiot and having my brain located in my butt. At least I hope he’s wrong about that.
One important MnUSA legislative agenda item is to secure a sales tax exemption for building materials and equipment used in the development and maintenance of trails. Snowmobile trails are a public good. They are paid for by a dedicated fund which, in turn, is funded by our user fees and taxes. In other words, it is our money that becomes public money. Taxing essential equipment and building materials is simply re-taxing our money. Funds are lost to the dedicated fund and moved to the general fund to be spent on programs unrelated to snowmobiling. It makes sense that snowmobile clubs, as good stewards of funds in the dedicated account, do our work in the most cost-effective manner. Placing taxes on dedicated funds (money generated through the fees and taxes we pay) is not cost effective and makes no sense. Tell your legislators to support a sales tax exemption for building materials and supplies for snowmobile trails. I still invite comments, criticisms, and fancy patter. Your responses make this column fun to write. Just don’t call me a butthead.
With my first column, I had hoped to take controversial issues and generate conversation among snowmobilers. MnUSA members have never been accused of being of one mind on anything—except snowmobiling. Our members are Democrats, Republicans, Conservative, Liberal, Communist (Yes, I know who you are) and Independents. I thought that respectful conversations about controversial issues would be thought provoking and entertaining. What I failed to realize is that it might threaten our unity. MnUSA’s strength and success has always been due to our united and single-minded focus on protecting and promoting snowmobiling to the benefit of all Minnesotans and generations to come. Our political litmus test has always been supported for
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January 2022
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