Kinky/Bell/Grandma Unhappy Over State Park Funding

Under a lack of leadership by current governor, Rick Perry, funding for the upkeep of Texas state parks has declined, even though overall state funding has increased. Because of the years of financial neglect, at least one park has been partially closed because of unsafe water. Another was closed because it can't afford to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Rita. At least 50 parks have reduced services and hours. Texas Parks & Wildlife officials say the cutbacks may result in the closing of 18 additional parks.

Recently, Perry asked all agency heads to cut another 10% from their budget in the upcoming biennium. According to his spokesmen, Perry believes this will help state agencies to set priorities. In his zeal to cut taxes in an election year, Perry seems to have forgotten that state agencies need a certain level of funding to keep operating. They cannot keep cutting costs year after year without eventually cutting services. Perry's political grandstanding is hurting the citizens of Texas.

All three of Perry's opponents in this year's governor's race have blasted him about the neglect and underfunding of our state parks. Kinky said, "In Texas, the parks are broke but the lobbyists are rich." He called for an increase in parks funding, and also called for a shake-up of agency leadership. Kinky says the parks are not only part of our heritage, but can be a catalyst for economic development. Chris Bell and Grandma Strayhorn have joined Kinky in the call to adequately fund our state parks.

In 1993, the legislature applied the sales tax on sporting goods to fund state parks, but capped the amount at $35 million. This raises over $100 million, but the agency only gets about $20 million [$15 million less than authorized].

Kinky, Bell, and Grandma have all called for the $35 million cap to be removed, and an extra $50 million be given to the parks from the fund.

After the poor job he has done in running the business of the state of Texas, I find it hard to believe anyone still supports Perry. Perry presided over the illegal redistricting of Texas congressional seats, screwed up school financing after calling numerous special sessions to fix it, underfunded many state agencies [including parks], and now wants to foist a new boondoggle on the people of Texas - the Trans-Texas Corridor. We badly need to vote this incompetent out of office in November.