Bailey, Bohac to Fully Fund Park System

AUSTIN - Two Houston state legislators have co-authored a bill to restore full funding to Texas parks in an effort to keep that system from falling into disrepair.

Representatives Kevin Bailey (D-Houston) and Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) have signed on to House Bill 6 by Rep. Harvey Hildebran (R-Kerrville). The bill is better known as the Texas Parks Restoration Act.

The bill lifts a spending cap in place since 1993 on revenue raised by an existing tax on sporting goods that funds state parks. That tax brings in $105 million a year. Past legislatures, however, have only dedicated $20 million of that tax to fund state parks while the rest was used for other priorities.

“We’re in a win-win position because the money to pay for these improvements is already there,” Bohac said. “I am very proud to have co-authored House Bill 6 which will increase the appropriation to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by $80 million a year and use the money for which we originally intended.”

“Texas is a land of great beauty and diversity,” Bailey said. “These parks are a treasure not only for our state, but for our nation.”

More than 10 million people use Texas state parks each year, which generates an estimated $793 million in sales at local restaurants, hotels and other businesses, according to a report issued by the State Park Advisory Committee.

The report released in 2006 recommended that $25 million be used for major repairs, $25 million for local parks, $15 million for park road maintenance, and another $15 million to acquire new parks.

”I can’t see the stars at night in Houston, but I can help put money towards the parks where you can,” Bohac said.

The report ranked Texas 49th in the country in per capita spending for state parks. Both legislators agreed that the state of Texas can and must do better.

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