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Action Alert


Take Action! Level the Playing Field Between Public and Private Outdoor Recreational Facilities

As the owner of a small business in the outdoor recreation industry, you know how tough it is to be in competition with public facilities.

They don't pay property taxes and are able to purchase goods, services, utilities and employee benefits at much lower rates than you can. What's worse, they can -- and many do--operate at a loss, with taxpayers covering the difference. Not only can you not run your business that way, but as a taxpayer you get to help foot the bill for your "competition," too.

NFIB/New York thinks this is unfair to businesses like yours. That's why we strongly supported legislation (S.6835B/A.10123A) sponsored by Sen. Jim Seward and Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, which would create a commission to study the fairness of competition between public and private facilities, with an eye toward taking steps to level the playing field.

We are pleased to report that this legislation passed both the Senate and Assembly with overwhelming bi-partisan support. However, our work is far from over. This bill is now headed to Gov. Paterson's desk for action, and there is concern that it could be vetoed as a result of strong objections from the public facilities.

It is imperative that you make your voice heard and let Gov. Paterson know how important this legislation is to your business.

Please urge Gov. Paterson to approve this legislation. You may use the language we provided, but we also encourage you to personalize your message to the governor in terms of your business.

Thank you for taking the time to speak out on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Mike Elmendorf
State Director, NFIB/New York

Take Action

1	Compose Message

Message Recipients:

David A. Paterson (D-NY), Governor

Delivery Method:

Printed Letter

Subject:

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(edit or add your own text - 7662 characters left)

As the owner of a small business operating an outdoor recreational facility, I am writing to urge your approval of S.6835B/A.10123A.

This legislation, which passed both houses with overwhelming bi-partisan support, would create a commission to study the nature and fairness of the competition between private and public outdoor recreational facilities, such as golf courses, ski centers and campgrounds.

New York is home to some of the country�s most outstanding and beautiful venues for outdoor recreation.  While these facilities are both public and private, in many ways the public facilities operate at a significant advantage over privately owned facilities like ours, which already struggle with the second highest cost of doing business in the nation.

For instance, public facilities do not pay property taxes.  Privately owned facilities do, bearing the highest property tax burden in the country.  Public facilities are also able to purchase goods, services, utilities and employee benefits at much lower rates which are unavailable to private businesses.  For those public facilities which operate at a deficit, their operating losses are covered by government.  If a business like mine is operating at a loss, it will simply go out of business.

The problem goes beyond private facilities being placed in unfair competition with publicly owned facilities.  As a taxpayer, I am underwriting the very competitors who are unfairly hacking away at my bottom line.

Privately owned outdoor recreational facilities are important tourist attractions. We preserve open space, pay taxes and employ thousands of people across our state.  Like all businesses, we face the challenges of an already adverse business climate in New York, but the added difficulty of competition with taxpayer-financed facilities raises fundamental issues of fairness.   For owners of such businesses like me, it forces us to question whether we can continue to exist.

I strongly urge you to approve this bill, which would establish a commission to study the competition that exists between public and private outdoor recreational facilities, with an eye toward leveling the playing field between private and public facilities.  The survival of businesses like mine�which are critical to our economy and tourism in our state�depends upon it.

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