28 Jan Keep Texas Parks Open

Texas state parks are a place for hiking, fishing, hunting, camping and conservation. Our parks connect the natural beauty of the Lone Star State to its residents and visitors, and they are one of our state’s most cherished resources. The Keep Texas Parks Open campaign is dedicated to educating citizens about the funding crisis facing Texas parks.

While the Senate and House budgets add an additional $6.9 million dollars from the Sporting Goods Sales Tax (SGST) to State Park Operations, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimated it would need an additional $18.9 million in funding from the SGST in order to prevent the closure of 20 state parks.  As a result, Legislative Budget Board staff have interpreted the proposed funding levels as a recommended level for the operation of 84 state parks. 

This funding crisis is real, but it is avoidable.  If the SGST was used for its intended purpose we would not be facing this dilemma. The SGST, a small portion of the sales tax on outdoor recreation and fitness equipment, was instituted by the Texas Legislature in 1993 as a way to pay for parks and parks programs. During the 2011 legislative session, only $52 million of $250 million in sporting goods sales tax revenue was allocated to Texas state parks.  The Texas Comptroller has estimated that the SGST will generate $265 million dollars in revenue over the 2014-2015 biennium.

Investing in parks is a good investment for Texas. Our state parks welcome over 8 million visitors every year, and they generate an estimated total $793 million in sales and account for 12,000 jobs.

Join our facebook page for the latest campaign updates and help educate your friends and family about the value of Texas parks. If you'd like to volunteer, contact us at ian@keeptexasparksopen.com.

Summary of recent news clips:

• KXAN 36 NBC: Several state parks could face closure
• Denton Record-Chronicle: Avoiding closures
• Texas Tribune: Seven State Parks Could Close Under Proposed Budget
• Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Critics say Legislature underfunding Texas parks
• Dallas Morning News: Texas state parks may face closure in proposed budget cuts
• Amarillo's KFDA 10 CBS: Texas Parks and Wildlife faces still more budget cuts
• Austin American-Statesman: With another legislative session under way, state parks are in jeopardy — at least in theory
• Sherman's KXII 12 CBS: TPWD needs $18.9 million to not close 20 parks
• Houston Chronicle: EDITORIAL – Proposed budget would result in shuttered Texas state parks
• Lufkin Daily News: EDITORIAL – Early state budget proposals would mean loss of seven state parks; that’s unthinkable
• Odessa American: EDITORIAL – Stop diverting state funds
• Beaumont Enterprise: EDITORIAL – State parks deserve more funding