I do not normally talk politics on hear and still wont.

But will pass along a good friend of mines comments and what he is proposing to do to keep the state of Texas from continuing to steal/raid the TPWD funds that are collected for the soul purpose of funding TPWD.

Here is the honorable Lyle Larson.


Truth in Budgeting - Texas Parks and Wildlife


For the second installment of our Truth in Budgeting discussion, I'd like to share with you my thoughts on diversions from another dedicated revenue source, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax.

As we've discussed previously, when the Legislature decides to impose a new tax or fee, it�s often sold to Texans based on what specific purpose it will be used for. Unfortunately, much of the revenue raised from these dedicated sources ends up being used to fund items that have nothing to do with the original purpose of the fee. The Legislature collects revenue from many different sources, from custom license plates to solid waste disposal fees, and almost every source is dedicated to a specific purpose. Currently, the state collects a tax from the sale of all sporting goods in Texas. The revenue is supposed to fund functions of the Texas Parks and Wildlife. Unfortunately, as you've probably guessed by now, a very small percentage of this money actually funds this agency and as a result, many of our state parks are in dire need of maintenance.

As an avid hunter and fisherman, I have always been passionate about the outdoors. Maintaining our parks system should be quite simple, as the state levies a tax on sporting goods that was meant to support the function of the Texas Parks and Wildlife. Unfortunately, just as the Legislature has diverted money from the state highway fund (Fund 006) for decades, they've done the same with the Sporting Goods Sales Tax.

HB 1, the initial budget draft, provides a grim picture of the future for our state parks. Due to the budget shortfall, the following cuts are enumerated in the budget bill:



1. Elimination of 20 parks law enforcement officers
2. Transfer of 7 state parks to local governments
3. Closure of 2 parks regional offices
4. Elimination of all local parks grants
5. Elimination of all new capital construction and repairs until 2013
6. Deferral of programs including the Game Warden Training Academy, the Public Hunting Program and various outreach and education programs
7. A 15 percent cut in Texas Parks and Wildlife administration, which amounts to $4.2 million in cuts equaling 65 full time employees.


Click Here to read an article in the Houston Chronicle describing the cuts to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Click Here to read an article distributed by the Texas Comptroller's Office about the virtues of the Sporting Goods Sales Tax.

Continuing our quest to restore truth in budgeting, and in an attempt to halt the funding crisis our parks are facing, my fellow Texas House members John Kuempel and Four Price and I filed HB 1628, which would require that our state parks and historical sites receive the entire amount of revenue raised from the Sporting Goods Sales Tax. Specifically, the bill requires that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department receive 94 percent and the Texas Historical Commission receive the remaining 6 percent. We believe this legislation is the next step toward ensuring fiscal discipline and restoring truth in budgeting in the Texas Legislature.

The state tax on gasoline sales was suppossed to used for building and maintaining Texas highways. Guess what, it funds 100% of the DPS budget. And that is one reason why we have toll roads.

I dont see how people think TPWD should be excluded from budget cuts...Sure we would all like to see them have an unlimited budget but Texas just cant afford it.

Like other agencies TPWD is going to have to tighten the belt and make some cuts.

+1

I agree with howard but what chaps me is they should have more money but it has basically been stolen for other things. THey will have to make cuts but looks like they have been making cuts all along for other things.

FYI-My best friend is a Game Warden and he said not to worry about the Game Warden Academy. One reason they are shutting down for a few years is because they are already maxed out on game wardenscurrently working. He was shocked they even had this current class in because most of them won't have a job when they get out until someone quits or retires. He said this happens every so many years. Works out since they are needed to cut budgets a bit, but there will always be a need for wardens. like him or not he says Perry will make sure of it, says he is very helpful to parks and wildlife, especially the wardens.

I think what he is trying to convey is that tax dollars that are raised for a specific purpose should be used for their intended purpose. If the public is paying taxes on sporting goods, the money was intended to fund TP&W. Apparently, this is not happening. Another good example is the freshwater stamp. If I remember correctly, revenue from the stamp was intended to pay for a new hatchery. The new hatchery was built but bond money was raised to pay for it.

Cuts across the board are needed but we need to make sure we are cutting pork and not needed programs that are already supposed to be funded. I personally don't know the budget well enough to decide what is pork and what is not but I will bet there is plenty of room somewhere.

You know you never hear politicians talk about taking a pay cut or benefit cut. They always want to point the finger at us first. You shouldn't be able to collect so much tax that you can finance it's intended purpose and have money left over for other things too.

The best thing I heard all day was during a debate on bring in gambling to Texas.

The person that called in, wasn't opposed to a new revenue stream, as much as he was opposed to bringing in a new revenue stream without spending limits on our State Government.

I've done work in Tpwd HQ here in Austin and believe me that they do not have any money. The floor tiles are caving in and furniture is falling apart.

True in most cases but not so in Texas.

Our state representatives get paid $600 a month, which I am sure that when it is worked out comes out to less than minimum wage. Not a whole lot of savings to be found by cutting their pay.

If the Hdq Bldg is falling apart, it's just total mismanegement from the top Adm.

From what I hear some of the state parks are in bad shape also, but the voters approved $1 BILLION for state park improvements just two years ago. Perhaps we need to ask where the money went.

P&W has always been guilty of wanting to purchase and build new parks when they didn't have the money to properly maintain what they already have.

A five year moratorium on any new park construction or purchase is way overdue.

they should lease the parks to individuals to run an maintain show me one thing that the state county or federal govt runs that they can maintain without asking for more taxpayer money we in business and individuals have a limit to our budgets . i would hope at some point they will to .

I'm not suggesting anything, just trying to understand.

Are the state parks self supporting with the entry fees, or do they require a subsidy from the state coffers?

Could a company that leases a state park for $1 per year make any money by operating the park on a sound business basis?

Without raising fees and locking out more folks in the down economy?

That is the exact point. Money raised is stolen by the general fund just like social security.

Don't worry about reps giving their money back, they don't make very much. I teach government and can tell you the men who set up our government here in Texas did that for a reason. They didn't want Little Joe Shmo running for office, they only wanted the wealthy elites running for office. If I quit my job and run for office I couldn't live on that money, but millionaire's don't need that. It is truly restrictive to certain people, those being the ones that have money.