A recent editorial in the Glens Falls Post Star asked the question: “How much longer can New York taxpayers continue to subsidize ski centers at Whiteface and Gore Mountain?”

The next paragraph yielded a vague response: “It’s time for state officials to rethink the financial and ownership model that has sustained them for the past 30 years.”

With a sluggish economy and state and local tax revenues in decline, there’s no question that public funding for everything is becoming problematic. While the editorial poses a legitimate question, it ignores some important issues, and has logical inconsistencies that make it hard to take seriously.

The piece states further that ORDA operates “vitally important tourist attractions, generating tens of millions of dollars each year in business revenue, sales tax and occupancy tax money. Their continued operation and maintenance is vital to the state and regional economies.”

The conclusion is that venues currently run by ORDA should continue to operate, but must be privatized to relieve the state of investments for infrastructure and operations. Unfortunately, it’s just not that simple.

One member of the NY Ski Forums pointed out what he called the “constitutional elephant” in the room — i.e. the editorial makes no mention of Article 14 of the NY state constitution, which clearly states that forest preserve lands “shall not be leased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed.”

The state constitution could be amended. During World War II, when titanium was discovered at the Tahawas iron mine, after lengthy discussion, an exception was made. But amending the constitution isn’t a simple matter and challenges would come from many directions.

Continue reading →