SEN. KOLKHORST FILES LEGISLATION TO FUND STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES
State Senator Lois Kolkhorst has filed a resolution to secure funding for state parks and historic sites.
The Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 24 looks to constitutionally dedicate funds collected under the sporting goods sales tax. The funding would go towards the 95 state parks and historic sites operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife, and 22 historic sites operated by the Texas Historical Commission.
Kolkhorst said a reliable source of funding for state parks and historic sites is “an investment in our future and a gateway to the outdoors for every Texan”. She said this funding will allow for maintenance, repairs and improvements on a regular basis.
For several years, state parks were primarily funded through a one-penny-per-pack tax on cigarettes. In 1993, the 73rd Legislature replaced the cigarette tax funding with a portion of revenues from the sales tax on sporting goods. The tax was designed to create a steady stream of funding for state parks.
Before 2015, only 40 percent of the dedicated sporting good sales tax was appropriated to the park system. However in 2015, the legislature allocated 100 percent of the tax dollars available and in 2017, the legislature allotted nearly 90 percent.
Kolkhorst filed SJR with a dozen bipartisan joint authors, saying she was proud to join a diverse group of lawmakers and organizations in supporting this legislation, so every Texan has access to what the outdoors has to offer.
An SJR takes a two-thirds vote by each chamber of the Legislature. If the votes are secured, the measure goes to the people as a ballot measure on the next general election to amend the State Constitution.