Winter in Wisconsin provides many opportunities for downhill skiing, and the industry helps to attract millions of tourist to the state dollars each year. However, state Representative Roger Roth (R-Appleton) says many resorts are facing extra costs because of below-average snowfalls in recent years. He says they’ve been forced to rely more on snow-making equipment, which can be expensive to operate.
Roth is sponsoring a package of bills that would provide tax credits for ski resorts that make their lodges more energy efficient or buy new snow-making equipment. He says the investments would help to conserve energy and lower their long term costs of doing business.
The Appleton Republican also wants to allow resorts to compensate younger seasonal employees with something other than a paycheck. He says many of those workers are their simply to gain access to the slopes when their shift is done. He says a change in law would make it easier for ski resorts to offer payment in that form.
Roth says the proposed bills would bring big benefits to the state by keeping the ski industry healthy.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:09)