I heard on the news this morning that up to 20 of 95 Texas State Parks could be closed depending on new legislation. I hope it doesn't happen as certain parks are very bank fishing friendly.

I buy the annual park pass every year. I'm not sure what else I can do other than donate a bunch of money that I don't have.

Also, what happens to these parks once they're closed?

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Possible-State-Park-Closures-Due-To-Budget--186695821.html

I heard lane Texana state park is being given back to the county or something. Loved that park as a kid, but last summer it was run down. I also buy the pass, and can't really afford to donate. I grew up camping with my grandparents all over Texas. Sad days to come if they close parks.

Sundays fort worth paper had a lengthy article. Downright shame. I also buy the parks pass and get my money's worth each year.
the ft worth paper mentioned this quite a bit... Give the tpwd the money the state of Texas raises every year with the sporting good tax. Our wonderful state legislature passed a law years ago levying a small tax on purchases of sporting goods, promising that money will be spent on tpwd/outdoorsy related expenditures, subject to authorization course. Instead that money goes into the general operating fund and tpwd sees whatever percentage of it the legislature decides to give it. So the tax on the fishing pole you bought may instead go to education/Medicaid or whatever the legislature blows our taxpayer money on, instead of what they preached when they passed the tax. Typical gubmint operating procedure, ya know.
Sickening.

It is a sick thought knowing the TPWD funds raised go to a "General Operating Fund", $60million for High School football stadium, social security payout to immigrants who have never worked a day in their life in the states, people on goverment handouts who barely make ends meet,neverless can afford a pack of fishing hooks. I will contiue to go state parks regulary and pay the fee, those state parks personel are very friendly, it's the least I can do.

As an avid fisherman and someone who enjoy the outdoors and nature, there is no money in the world that I could spend and see the return benefits to me and my family than my annual state parks pass and fishing licenses, on a weekly basis all year round...

Just wondering out loud, what are health benefits of encourage Texans to enjoy more outdoor activities in the natural environment, such as camping, hiking, fishing, etc... For example, if people are more healthy, how much money can be saved that otherwise must be spent on ER rooms services in hospitals treating unhealthy people who get sick often...

Excellent point.

I'm gonna yak into the parks if they close them...

That's one way to reach the close out state park if you can find nearby place to safely park your car/truck and then launch your yak... and of course it'd be more convenient for boaters, it'd be like an "island" accessible by boats (or yaks) only...

However, if one to look at SP closures from a "lack of fund" perspective, the parks operations are most likely will be outsourced to private operators who will run it for profits and most likely turning most of the park into a marina and trailer campers rental lots that people can rent those lots on monthly or yearly basis... a semi permanent trailer park community on the lake? (May be there is money to be made buying stocks of trailer/camper mfg co., that's an idea.)

I guess I should start saving up for a state park then. Build my dream house on it and charge people to camp and fish. Sounds much better than my current job! Wonder how much one might go for?

Lol! "If you have to ask, you won't be able to afford it" as the saying goes... Having said that, I'd quit my job right now and go operate a SP for a living in a heart beat...

On the serious note though, I guess those privately run parks don't seem to affect fishing much unless the deep water fishing areas were taken over by the marina... but if you want to camp in the "wilderness" it would be suck to see those "trailer park" and people, and of course your fancy "dream house" in the woods...

How many raises have they given themselves since '93. I guess the sporting goods tax went there. We should start buying everything online out of state and see how they like that.

This info is just the tip of the iceberg, ladies and gentlemen...these are relatively (minor) state expense reductions in the overall state budget...just wait until your federal congress/president get into the coming "austerity package" dealings, then start passing the funding cuts to the states, which will in turn, require more state expense reductions..the fireworks show will really get fired up! But there is a silver lining...Texas is one of the best and strongest states in the union and heh heh heh Californication and Obama's loved state of illinois are two of the worst...Which is just another way of saying that Texas will not become insolvent or have to pass huge tax increases on their citizens like other aforementioned states will....We will look back on the Obama years and lament the huge tax increases that will forever shape our lives....just keep fishing and hunting..it may be the only way to eat and/or feed your family in a few years.

As long as they don't close Purtis Creek, Meridian, and Cedar Hill I'll be alright

Don't know much about Meridian and Cedar Hill, but I'm sure Purtis Creek is safe. My boys and I were fishing the same pier (your 1st and 4th pics) last August. We were catching quite a few LMB late in the afternoon, and I guessed every one on the pier were making so much noise the game warden lady came by... very nice lady. She told us that the LMB population had bounced back so well... I also talked to the lady at the office, she said they planned to lift the C&R only restriction and possibly goes with state bag of 5 fish "next year" which should be this year (?). She said Purtis Creek used to be the number one LMB in Texas...They plan to restore the lake to where it used to be... and I'm sure that would make many bass fishermen very happy! (especially tourney organizers!)

Btw, like your signature, and fully agree with you. Cheers!