NHRTC Rail Trail Funding – SB274 Heard by Senate Transportation Committee
Sen. Donovan Fenton, prime sponsor and Senate Transportation Committee member, presented SB274, requesting state funds for Trails Bureau staff, emergency repairs, and non-federal match to his committee on February 11. NHRTC Directors Mike Kowalczyk, Marianne Borowski, and volunteer Boyd Smith gave supporting testimonies (view recording of testimony starting at 1:03 of the YouTube recording). Corinne Benfield, Executive Director of Stay-Work-Play also provided supporting testimony, with technical information offered by Craig Rennie (Bureau of Trails) and Shelley Winters (NHDOT). Online support outnumbered opposition by 90 to 7. THANK YOU to those that took the time to register your support!
For months we have been told that our preferred budget of $7.2 Mm over 2 years) would likely not be accepted, and this was proven when the Transportation Committed voted to pass an amended version for $500,000 over 2 years. Our team asked that these very reduced funds apply directly to trail work, so we can make visible progress over upcoming construction seasons.
We have prepared a letter for Gov. Ayotte, who has made outdoor recreation a centerpiece of her administration, to gain support in advance of an anticipated Senate Finance hearing. Once the next hearing is scheduled, we will once again need your vocal support for state rail trail funding. Stand by for our next Legislative Engagement Request. Thank you!