Preserving Texas In the News

By R.A. DYER

STAR-TELEGRAM AUSTIN BUREAU

AUSTIN -- Setting himself apart from the state's other top leaders, Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick on Wednesday announced his unequivocal support for the restoration of full funding for state parks, saying that every dime from a sales tax on sporting goods should go to the beleaguered system.

"I also support some type of one-time expenditure to do whatever needs to be fixed," said Craddick, R-Midland. "They have historical sites as well as parks that are in real disarray and they're a major part of economic development.... We'd like to see it all fixed."

Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst have recently said that Texas parks need more money, but have suggested that some money from the state sporting goods tax might be better spent elsewhere.

The Legislature earmarked that money for parks in 1993, but in recent years rerouted most of it to other purposes.

At the same time, parks in Texas have fallen on hard times. A Star-Telegram investigation last year found that financial neglect by the Legislature has left the 600,000-acre system with a fleet of aging and sometimes inoperable vehicles, shuttered facilities, nonworking water and wastewater systems and a long and expensive repair backlog.

The sporting goods tax would bring another $90 million annually to state parks. Perry, a Republican, told the Star-Telegram last month that he wants more money for parks, but expressed concern "that if we dump [the sporting goods tax revenue] overnight on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department" that the agency might not be able to effectively spend it.

Dewhurst, a Republican, also questioned last week whether the agency could efficiently spend that much money.

He said parks officials have told him they can make only about $25 million in repairs each year.

That's in contrast to recommendations from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, which has identified a specific backlog of repairs and needs that should be funded by the sporting goods tax.

Parks officials have told the Star-Telegram that they have a clear need for all the money from the tax.

Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, commended Craddick for dispelling "the myth that the parks department would not know how to spend the money" and for taking the lead on the funding issue.

"He [Craddick] has always been strong on this issue -- he came out last summer for increased funding for parks and he hasn't backed down from that," said Metzger. "It's reassuring to know that Speaker Craddick has not had any second thoughts."

Craddick on Wednesday also reiterated his support for the controversial transfer of about 20 parks facilities to the Texas Historical Commission. Some parks advocates have questioned the transfer, saying it needs additional study.

But Craddick says the Historical Commission would be a better home for the sites.

He said that some funds earmarked for the Parks and Wildlife Department would go to the Historical Commission to maintain the sites.

State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, has filed legislation to return revenue from the sporting goods tax to parks. On Wednesday he said he may also push legislation to give the state more bonding authority for park acquisition and major repairs.

"They have historical sites as well as parks that are in real disarray and they're a major part of economic development.... We'd like to see it all fixed."