When lean times hit, money for state parks is some of the first to get diverted to other purposes. A package of legislation proposed in the Texas State legislature would change that.
Texas State Representative John Cyrier (R-Lockhart) pens an opinion piece for the Houston Chronicle calling for more funding for state parks.
Rather, Rep. Cyrier is asking for the state to stop stealing funds from state parks. After listing the many benefits and uses of state parks, Cyrier draws attention to the decades-long neglect of funding for Texas state parks.
"Since 1993, when the Legislature voted to fund state parks with the portion of sales tax revenues collected on the sale of sporting goods, only 47 percent of the nearly $2.8 billion collected has been appropriated to state parks," according to Cyrier.
Facing reported deferred maintenance costs of more than $800 million for state parks, Cyrier and other colleagues in the Texas State Legislature have proposed legislation that will ensure the sporting goods sales tax is allocated to parks.
FULL STORY: Stop diverting money from Texas’ state parks
Not a Walk in the Park: What It Really Takes to Build Green Spaces
Park creation can take decades of perseverance to overcome financial, regulatory, and social hurdles, but the end result for the local community is more than worth it.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
California's Top-Rated Park for Hikers Is Inside the City of LA
According to AllTrails, a popular fitness and travel mobile app, Topanga State Park has many highly-rated trails, most of which are of moderate difficulty and vary in length from three to seven miles.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions