Texas Parks Are Broke. But Good News, Voters Can Rescue Them.

[TexasTowelie]

Money intended for state parks and historic sites should actually be spent on state parks and historic sites, right?

It took lawmakers a little more than a quarter century to reach that conclusion. Since 1993, sales tax collected from the purchase of sporting goods and outdoor gear was supposed to fund Texas’ system of much-loved yet perpetually cash-strapped state parks and historic sites. Buy a kayak in Texas? In theory, you’re a park benefactor. Same for the purchase of baseball gloves and fishing poles, exercise bikes and the like.

But legislators couldn’t resist withholding the revenue from state parks in order to shore up the state’s general budget. From 1993 to 2015, in fact, just 40 percent of an estimated $2.5 billion in sporting goods sales tax ever made its way to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to both operate state parks and provide grants for local and regional parks.

“We’ve been on a roller coaster ride all these years,” says George Bristol, a top booster of state parks.

Read more: https://www.texasmonthly.com/politics/texas-parks-are-broke-but-good-news-voters-can-rescue-them/

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Good idea and one that will benefit all. We have a 1/8th cent sales tax in MO to support ...

our state parks and they managed to keep the funds in the state park system too, not divert for non park purposes. State parks preserve the state's unique geographical features and preserves them for future generations. We had a re-up on the 1/8th sales tax (to continue in MO, and it was voted overwhelming Yes to continue by MO voters, in a recent election cycle (last couple of years).

Local businesses gain by their commercial businesses located both within and outside the state parks (locals also benefit from the jobs provided) and the state's residents benefits (and out of state visitors too) from enjoying the parks (camping, hiking, hunting, etc.). A true win - win for everyone.

[ROB-ROX]

2. Time To SUE The State Government To Recover The STOLEN funds

Republicans STEAL, CHEAT, and LIE. In my state the sales tax funds pay for the parks and are not STOLEN. This state requires federal assistance to pay their way. This is another third world republican state which fails it's self and it's people. Most of this state is desert so what kind of parks would be in this state???