A statewide proposition establishing a constitutional modification to create a $1 billion fund for future state parks shall be within the fingers of Texas voters in November. The entire worth has been licensed by the state legislature.
About 10 million guests flock to Texas State Parks yearly, and the ever-expanding inhabitants means there may be not sufficient provide of parks to satisfy the demand. The Centennial Parks Conservation Fund created by Proposition 14 would assist the state purchase new parks from landowners with out elevating taxes on Texans, in response to a launch.
The measure has obtained bipartisan assist from the Texas Legislature, and statewide polls have yielded overwhelming assist for state parks inside the final 20 years. State Senator Tan Parker filed the Senate invoice laying the groundwork for the conservation fund to make it on the poll.
“The Centennial Parks Conservation Fund would offer reliable, long-term funding for brand new park acquisition that may defend the distinctive pure and cultural treasures of Texas, creating the chance to make sure our state parks thrive for generations to come back,” Senator Parker mentioned.
In keeping with Ballotpedia, funds can be “appropriated, credited, or transferred by the legislature; items, grants, and donations obtained by the Parks and Wildlife Division; and funding earnings.” It could additionally not depend towards the state’s appropriation restrict.
State Consultant Armando Walle, who sponsored the invoice within the Texas Home, additionally expressed his assist for the invoice. He referred to as it a transformational, “Teddy Roosevelt sort of initiative.”
Almost 80 statewide organizations together with the Bexar Audubon Society, Comal County Conservation Alliance, and Inexperienced Areas Alliance of South Texas have come collectively in assist of the measure by way of the Texas Coalition for State Parks. The coalition focuses on educating Texans about the advantages of growing the statewide park conservation fund.
If the proposition passes, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division will have the ability to use the funds to buy land and distinctive properties for future state parks.
Joseph Fitzsimons, the coalition’s co-founder and the previous Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Fee, shared his endorsement for Prop 14 in a press release.
“Open areas are crucial to our high quality of life,” mentioned Fitzsimons. “The Centennial Parks Conservation Fund would assist defend the locations we like to hike, bike, fish, picnic, view wildlife, and spend time with household.”
Voters will see Prop 14 on the poll on November 7.
Extra details about the Texas Coalition for State Parks and its members will be discovered on growtexasparks.com.
