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dwalsdorf · 08-02-2006, 04:10 PM

From mySA today:

Quote:

Panel sees a quick fix for state's park woes

Web Posted: 08/02/2006 12:09 AM CDT

Gary Scharrer
Express-News Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers should take quick action to fix the state's crumbling parks system by using special tax revenue long intended for parks, according to a draft report on chronic problems facing state parks.

"We need to do what's necessary to give us the best state parks system in the nation," Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Joseph Fitzsimons said Tuesday.

All revenue from a sporting goods tax for state parks that Texas voters approved 13 years ago should flow to the parks, according to the report by a state parks advisory committee.

The report also recommended that unused bonds from a special bond package for parks approved by voters should be issued to fix the rapidly deteriorating condition of the parks.

Only $15 million of the $105 million the sporting goods tax brought in last year went to parks. Lawmakers put a $32 million cap on the tax revenue for parks in the mid-1990s, but have diverted millions of those dollars to other uses.

As a consequence, many of the state's 114 parks are understaffed and operating with reduced hours. Maintenance has been delayed and the vehicle fleet is aging. The state has been unable to buy or develop new parks despite booming population growth.

"The current situation of our parks is critical. They are in desperate need of capital expenditures and more personnel," said John Montford, a former state senator who heads the state parks advisory committee.

Parks and Wildlife Chairman Fitzsimons, a San Antonio attorney, appointed the advisory committee to recommend ways to deal with immediate funding problems and take care of future needs.

Fitzsimons and his commission will consider a final report at an Aug. 24 hearing.

The state's investment in its parks clearly has been "inadequate for many years," the advisory committee's report says.

"We're working within the system, and we wanted to try to help the Legislature find a solution to the problem — not just be a bunch of rabble-rousers and say, 'Hey, you have a problem you need to fix,'" Montford said.

Using all the sporting goods tax, as originally intended, could fix current needs in addition to addressing ongoing major repairs and future park acquisition.

The report suggests using $15 million of the sporting goods tax revenue each year to expand existing parks and to develop new ones.

The report also recommends park grants for local communities be increased to $25 million a year from $5 million today.

"Local parks are on the front line of our parks system, and they've taken a disproportionate amount of the cuts in the last two legislative sessions," Fitzsimons said.

The grants allow communities to build soccer and baseball fields and jogging trails, Fitzsimons said, emphasizing the payback potential from the sporting goods tax.

Gov. Rick Perry favors using money from the sporting goods tax for parks but doesn't want to elaborate until the commission gets a final report, spokeswoman Kathy Walt said.

"He believes that when Texans are told that's how their tax dollars are being used, the state has an obligation to keep its commitment," she said.

The condition of the state's parks likely will emerge as a campaign issue this fall.

The consequences of neglected parks are catching up, said Chris Bell, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, who's on the road this week visiting state parks.

"People have been told that they can have it all and that state government can meet all your wants and needs and desires — and you don't have to pay for it," Bell said. "I think people are waking up to the fact that that's simply false."

State parks are valuable, said retired aircraft machinist George Garner of San Antonio.

"They are going to be mighty disappointed when these parks get run down where they are not even attractive anymore," Garner said. "I am very interested in public lands and public access to those lands. State parks — gosh, we need more of them."

The advisory committee's Montford said he knows that funding pressures makes it tough for legislators.

"I'm not going to rear up and make a series of recommendations that I don't think will be palatable for the Legislature," he said. "On the other hand, we're going to look at the facts and call it like we see it."