Park Closings Unnecessary

alternatives ignored

The sign in front of at least one state park reads, "Park closed due to
budget." To be accurate, the sign would read, "Park closed for no good reason."
While some may accept the park closings announced by Governor Sundquist as "no surprise" and a reasonable casualty of budget shortfalls, I don't.
Having participated in countless hours of budget debate on Capitol Hill, I want to share information that leads me to the conclusion that the park closings have more to do with poor management decisions and politics -- and little to do with cost savings. These facts lead me to that conclusion:
1. The Governor says the park closings will save $3.2 million. Meanwhile, the Sundquist administration has purchased additional parcels of land using the Land Acquisition Fund. While the Governor says we can't afford to maintain existing state parks, he has actually purchased additional land.
2. Under Tennessee law, (T.C.A. 67-4-409(j)(2), the state is authorized to spend funds from the Land Acquisition Fund for the operation of state parks. There is currently $8 million available in the land acquisitions fund that could be used to keep our parks open. Instead, the Governor chose to buy more land and close existing parks -- a move that would lack common sense during a real budget crisis.
3. The Governor and the Commissioner of Conservation and Environment blame the legislature for rejecting some of their revenue proposals -- including a plan to sell alcohol in our parks. I voted against the sale of alcohol in parks. I make no apology. I believe it's bad policy for dozens of reasons.
What the Governor's park closing announcement didn't mention is that the state already has the authority to implement fees to operate our parks (T.C.A. 11-1-108(c) and Atty. General opinion no. 00-039). Additional legislation, passed in June, 2000, made the law clear that user fees can be charged and the funds kept specifically to support the parks.
Clearly, the opportunity exists to use Land Acquisition Funds or user fees to keep our parks open. The Governor chose to close the parks.
The Governor's staged announcements of relatively small, but highly visible and painful budget cuts create the perception that this state is bleeding to death. In fact, the overall state budget has increased 5.2% over last year.
While children are losing their playgrounds and parks, the Governor chose to keep all of the state-run golf courses open. In my opinion, the priorities are reversed.
The General Assembly provided viable alternatives to the park closings. The Governor ignored them.Press Release
CONTACT: Senator Rosalind Kurita
Pamela George
Office: (615) 741-2374*Home: (931) 368-0182