USA – Do you know that at this time is election day? I didn’t, as I simply returned from my darkness retreat.
Jokes apart, whereas a lot of the consideration has been paid to the presidential and congressional elections, varied points on state and native ranges might affect the way forward for the ski trade in the US. Right here’s a recap of 5 poll questions taking place throughout the US at this time.
We’ll replace this publish with the outcomes of every election.
Aspen, Colorado: The new-button matter in Pitkin County proper now could be whether or not to widen the airport’s runway and transfer it 80 ft to the west. At present, the antiquated runway at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport doesn’t meet FAA necessities. If it stays that approach, the Airport would lose federal funding, and the county must pay for it.
Two questions involving this Airport are on the Pitkin County poll: 200 would take away Pitkin County’s capacity to change the airport’s runway, and Referendum 1C would enable Pitkin County to vary the runway.
Based on Aspen Public Radio, locals concern that altering the runway would usher in larger plane, which they concern are noisier and produce greater emissions. For vacationers, the excellent news of a change is that bigger planes would possible turn out to be extra widespread at Aspen Airport. Aspen Snowmass is requesting that locals vote sure on 1C and vote no on Referendum 200.
For extra details about this contentious difficulty, learn this text from the Colorado Solar or watch the video beneath from Wendover Productions.
Casper, Wyoming: Voters in Casper will vote on whether or not so as to add a six-cent gross sales tax that might pay for as much as eight initiatives. Based on Oil Metropolis Information, eight initiatives are being introduced to voters, considered one of which (Proposition 3) asks whether or not the town ought to add a brand new quad chairlift and lighting for night time snowboarding to the Hogadon Basin ski space. Final winter, Hogadon Basin needed to shut early as a result of a mechanical difficulty with its chairlift. The new half was fairly expensive, so that they’re beginning to wonder if it’s finest to maneuver on from this chairlift. Casper residents can vote for all of them, a few of them, one of many initiatives, or none of them. The query is whether or not Casper residents wish to pay for it by way of a gross sales tax.
Maine: Query 4 asks voters whether or not to approve a $30 million bond to develop or keep trails throughout the state. Based on the Pure Sources Council of Maine, trails in Maine want restore as a result of excessive climate and report utilization post-pandemic. This has obtained the endorsement of assorted organizations and firms in Maine, like AMC and L.L. Bean.
The bond would supply $7.5 million in funding yearly for 4 years. Whereas this has largely been promoted for including trails for teams like snowmobilers, ATV customers, bikers, and hikers, it appears possible that ski areas or ski path networks might partake on this.
Opponents level out the heavy price ticket, which might be used for extra urgent points within the state, and the potential removing of railroad tracks, which might be difficult to revive in the event that they have been eliminated.
South Lake Tahoe: A scarcity of reasonably priced housing and the rise of Airbnbs have created housing crises throughout the US, particularly in ski cities. Discovering housing within the Tahoe area is a big problem for staff and middle-class people. One of many core causes for that is the variety of vacant properties, with the U.S. Census estimating in 2022 that 44% of properties in South Lake Tahoe have been vacant more often than not.
Measure N proposes a tax on owners who go away their property vacant for greater than 183 days of the yr. The fee for the primary yr could be $3000, after which turn out to be $6000 or extra within the years after. The tax income would go in the direction of infrastructure initiatives, like roads and housing.
Nevertheless, this proposal faces huge opposition from teams just like the Tahoe Chamber and the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Affiliation. They imagine that these owners shouldn’t be required to lease their properties, which looks as if one of many objectives of those measures. In addition they concern that these owners would then promote their properties.
Telluride: San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) Poll Challenge 3A will ask voters in San Miguel County whether or not to approve funding the free city gondola beginning in 2028. At present, funding for the gondola will cease on the finish of 2027. Based on the Telluride Day by day Planet, the funding would come from will increase in gross sales, lodging, and property taxes. As well as, Telluride Ski & Golf will give SMART $1.5 million a yr for the gondola, which they’ll elevate by including a 4.5% charge on passes. These funds would go in the direction of working the present gondola and establishing a brand new one, because the previous one is reaching the tip of its operational lifespan.
The poll would additionally enable for extra buses for the SMART community, additional enhancing public transit.
Picture/Video Credit: Go to Telluride (Featured Picture), Wendover Productions, Metropolis of Casper, Wyoming, Information Heart Maine, KCRA 3, Telluride Ski Resort
