11/27/2019- The local lawmaker is pushing to expand funding for a popular touris t draw to our area. Representative John Nygren recently circulated a bill for co-sponsorship that would increase the amount of funding the Wisconsin DNR may distribute as grants for snowmobile trail maintenance and new trail development. The DNR is currently limited to spending about $2.5 million annually on aids to counties for snowmobile trail-related costs. However, according to Nygren, there is a surplus in the segregated snowmobile account as a result of trail pass and registration fee changes in recent years and this bill would increase the DNR’s expenditure authority by $3 million per year. Nygren says snowmobiling is a significant contributor to Wisconsin’s outdoor economy, especially in the northern part of the state. He calls the new legislation an important investment to ensure the Badger State remains a premier destination for the sport.