By Bob Difley
As reported in my last blog post on the status of California State Parks, and the good news that only a few of the 278 parks will close, the state of Arizona is also on the verge of a successful campaign to save their parks (photo left – Picacho Peak SP).
In particular, House Bill 2362 will protect the funds collected by (or budgeted to) the parks from their legislature that periodically “sweeps” the funds into their general fund to pay for non-park related budget shortfalls. Knowing that the pols can’t raid their funds might encourage park administrators to try “outside the box” revenue-producing ideas similar to those that appear to be working in California. Below is a description of the bill:
House Bill 2362 (Fann, R – District 1): State Parks Revenue Fund
The State Parks system has been subject to periodic legislative fund sweeps dating back to 2003. Since 2007, staffing has decreased by 40% and operating funds have shrunk by half, to $19.5 million dollars this year. Even some of the funds generated by the system itself ($15.5 million in park generated revenues since 2009) have been swept into the general fund.
HB 2362 is designed to protect the funds which are generated in the operation of parks. It establishes a State Parks Revenue Fund for operation, maintenance, improvement and park expansion. It provides:
That monies received from the following sources will be deposited in the fund: designated gifts and donations, gift shop sales, legislative appropriations, park user, concession and reservation fees and other generated revenues;
Continuous appropriation to the Parks Board;
On notice from the State Parks Board the State Treasurer shall invest the fund and interest will be credited to the fund;
Unspent monies will remain in the fund and not lapse to the general fund.
The Arizona State Parks Foundation, who supported the bill, reported on their website the current status:
Buckskin Mountain SP campground
Here’s hoping that the governor signs the bill and that the parks will have a chance of staying open–or at least not having their meager operating funds stolen by the political establishment for their own purposes.
Since you’ve read this far, please take a look at my Healthy RV Lifestyle website for RV tips and information, and for my ebooks: BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands (PDF or Kindle), 111 Ways to Get the Biggest Bang out of your RV Lifestyle Dollar (PDF or Kindle), and Snowbird Guide to Boondocking in the Southwestern Deserts (PDF or Kindle). Thank you.
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Paul LeSage
Make that “skimming.”
Paul LeSage
Unfortunately, Gov Brewer vetoed the bill and the skimmg will continue
Donnie Anderson
We ban together in the NRA to protect our Gun rights and the adminstration of the NRA as well as all of it’s powerful Lobyist and Lawyers fight the local, State, and Federal level. We need as CAMPERS need to ban together and do the same! Good Sams would be a good place to start if they would get organized, hire th Lawyers & Lobyist and get down and dirty with the politicans.
hoppe
I just heard on the news this morning that some Jack in DC, has introduced a Bill to SELL a bunch of our PUBLIC LANDS to help balance the Budget.
We of the RV community really do Need to FIGHT AGAINST this.
Call, write and email your Representatives NOW! Our votes count. Tell them!
hoppe
Good article Bob.
Just like most Politicians, they give tax break to the Rich and then complain of ‘Funding Shortfalls’.
We ALL need to contact our Representatives and tell them to represent US, not the Rich or we WILL replace them. That goes for BOTH sides of the aisle!
GET AFTER YOUR POLITICIANS. Protect your/our interests.
Protectionism isn NOT always a dirty word!
Ross
You just got to love those “General Funds” of the Cities, County,& State.
They quietly, over the years started sweeping those funds collected from the parks, all the time “Poor Mouthing” about the parks not generating enough money.
50 years ago, the old timers would had some meaningful discussions with them.
Maybe the public is finally catching on to their dirty little tricks, and will finally hold them accountable
Ross
Glen Jones
When you let those crooks in the State Houses get there hands on public funds the public is going to lose, it doe s not matter if it is State, Federal, or even Local
as we have here in Portland, Oregon. One Million Dollars for a show house to show how to conserve water, or one million for a caretaker’s home at a city water facility.
butterbean carpenter
Howdy Bob,
Boy, you’re really churning them out this week!!! Very good article, if, only the politicians could read it and the gov would sign it… Keep on writing the news we need and we’ll keep on reading it !!!!
Ralphie Boyo
I read this as we are camped at Picacho Peak State Park. Thanks for the update, as well as all of the good work you do on behalf of us who love to camp…