SEN. KOLKHORST PASSES PRIORITY LEGISLATION TO FULLY FUND STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES

  

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst has passed legislation to offer additional funding for state and local parks, as well as state historic sites.

With a unanimous and bipartisan vote in the Texas Senate, Senate Joint Resolution 24 and Senate Bill 26 now move to the state House, where Representative John Cryier (R-Lockhart) will serve as the House sponsor.

If approved by voters, the amendment intends to devote existing funds already collected under the sporting goods sales tax entirely to fund the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission.

For many years, Texas state parks were primarily funded through a one-penny-per-pack tax on cigarettes. In 1993, the 73^rd Legislature replaced the cigarette tax funding with a portion of revenues taken from the sales tax on sporting goods.

The sporting goods sales tax was designed to create a steady stream of funding for state parks, but the amount of the tax has fluctuated over the years. Under SJR 24 and SB 26, the entire amount of already existing state sales taxes on sporting goods will be permanently dedicated to parks and historic sites.

Kolkhorst said, as the population grows, the state needs to promote and protect public parks and historic sites. She said supporting these sites is “an investment in our future and provides a gateway to the outdoors for every Texan”.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick commended Kolkhorst for the passing of the bill, which he said will “make sure our state parks are safely maintained so all Texans can continue to enjoy them”.