Month: February 2009

Roper, 7 other Arizona state parks to remain open for now

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Roper Lake State Park

[Source: Diane Saunders, Eastern Arizona Courier] — Roper Lake State Park south of Safford dodged an economic bullet Feb. 4 when the Arizona State Parks Board decided not to close eight state parks in an effort to help the state budget crisis.  Instead, the State Parks Board will examine other ways to overcome a budget deficit at its Feb. 20 meeting, according to the department’s Web site.

Roper Lake and seven other Arizona state parks were targeted for closure after the Arizona Legislature decided to divert money from the agency to help balance the state’s budget.  According to the Arizona State Parks Department, Roper is one of the costliest parks in Arizona to operate.  Nearly 86,000 people visit Roper each year, however, the cost to the state is $2.51 per visitor.  In comparison, Arizona’s costliest park to operate is McFarland State Historic Park in Pinal County.  That park draws 4,945 visitors a year and it costs the state $37.94 per visitor to operate, according to the Arizona State Parks Department.

Only two of Arizona’s state parks make money — Catalina in Pima County and Kartchner Caverns in Cochise County.  Catalina has 168,874 visitors a year and makes a profit of 90 cents per visitor.  Kartchner draws 160,013 visitors a year and makes $2.51 per visitor.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Action Alert! Voter-approved Arizona Heritage Fund threatened (once again)

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[Source: Arizona Heritage Alliance] — You are aware the Arizona State Legislature is in the process of resolving a $1.5 billion dollar budget shortfall for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 and a $3.5 billion dollar shortfall for 2010.

We realize all state agencies are being hit hard, but the impact on Arizona State Parks will be crippling and ALL of the State Parks administered state-funded grant programs have been discontinued until further notice – this includes Heritage Fund grants.

All work on State Parks Heritage Fund grant projects has been stopped effective February 1, 2009.  Until we hear otherwise, Heritage Fund grants that were awarded last year and have started construction or reconstruction are to CEASE.

This is not the first time the legislature has tried to raid Heritage Funds from Arizona State Parks.  Thanks to you and thousands of other Arizonans who contacted their legislators in the past, we were able to stave off 30+ such raids. But this time they did it under the guise of balancing the budget deficit that no one had the chance to make them stop and think about the consequences.

As a result, the State Parks Board is left to deal with the mess handed to them. The State Parks Board has until February 20 to figure it out.  Will the Parks Board close eight state parks for good, or close all state parks a few days a week?  Whatever they choose, the impact on Arizona State Parks will be devastating.  

Governor Jan Brewer signed this budget.  We urge you to call or e-mail Governor Brewer and ask her to review the options for the State Parks budget and tell her not to sweep Heritage Fund dollars! Arizona’s 27 State Parks welcome 2.3 million visitors each year. They are our past, present, and future. We need to embrace them, and be good stewards.

What can you do?

  • Voice your opinion to Governor Brewer at: 602-542-1318, toll free 1-800-253-0883, or e-mail
  • Visit and bookmark the Arizona Heritage Alliance website
  • Sign onto our “Dear Legislator” letter
  • Forward this Action Alert to like-minded friends, family members, and colleagues

As always, thank you for your support of Arizona’s heritage. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please contact us.

Roper, 7 other Arizona parks to remain open for now

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[Source: Diane Saunders, Wick Communications] — Roper Lake State Park south of Safford dodged an economic bullet Feb. 4 when the Arizona State Parks Board decided not to close eight state parks in an effort to help the state budget crisis.  Instead, the State Parks Board will examine other ways to overcome a budget deficit at its Feb. 20 meeting, according to the department’s Web site.  Roper Lake and seven other Arizona state parks were targeted for closure after the Arizona Legislature decided to divert money from the agency to help balance the state’s budget.

According to the Arizona State Parks Department, Roper is one of the costliest parks in Arizona to operate. Nearly 86,000 people visit Roper each year, however, the cost to the state is $2.51 per visitor.  In comparison, Arizona’s costliest park to operate is McFarland State Historical Park in Pinal County.  That park draws 4,945 visitors a year and it costs the state $37.94 per visitor to operate, according to the Arizona State Parks Department.  Only two of Arizona’s state parks make money – Catalina in Pima County and Kartchner Caverns in Cochise County.  Catalina has 168,874 visitors a year and makes a profit of 90 cents per visitor.  Kartchner draws 160,013 visitors a year and makes $2.51 per visitor.

Ellen Bilbery, spokeswoman for the State Parks Department, said Arizona’s state park system was set up 52 years ago as a way to draw visitors to cities and towns in Arizona while protecting the state’s natural features and wildlife.  Making money for the state was not the main reason the parks were opened.

The history of the park system, however, does not help the current financial crisis in Arizona.  To balance the state’s budget, Arizona government is “sweeping” money from a variety of funds, including county and municipal budgets, to eliminate state budget deficits this year and next fiscal year, which begins July 1, local and state officials say.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Viewpoint: Arizona legislature cut too deeply, must find solutions

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State budget cuts may force closure of Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff, among Arizona's treasure trove of parks.

[Source: Arizona Republic] — The emergency surgery on the 2009 budget went too far.  The Legislature’s plan, signed by Gov. Jan Brewer on Saturday, cuts so deeply into muscle that it weakens Arizona’s future.

We can probably heal some of the damage.  If the state receives more federal stimulus money than legislators anticipated, the dollars should restore reductions with long-term consequences.  But the radical operation of 2009 is just a sample of what could happen next fiscal year.

The revenue shortfall for 2010 is expected to be a staggering $3 billion, nearly a third of the general-fund budget.  Arizona must consider every possible way to treat this huge but temporary problem and then choose the best mix to minimize lasting side effects.  A few examples of the 2009 cuts show how Arizona has reached the outer limit and beyond on budget reductions.

  • Universities took a huge and disproportionate share of the hit, undercutting their ability to create the highly educated workforce that many companies seek.
  • The 21st Century Fund was wiped out.  The last-minute maneuver, not supported by Republican leaders, eliminated $22.5 million that boosts technology and bioscience development in Arizona.
  • The Department of Economic Security says families that qualify for subsidized child care will have to go on a waiting list until the end of the fiscal year.  It’s estimated to include 5,000 children by June 30. Low-income parents will be forced to choose between working and leaving kids in risky situations.
  • Graduate medical education loses $7 million in funding, sacrificing a federal match of $14 million.  It’s a double-barreled loss in a state that needs more doctors and is expanding its medical sector.
  • State parks, part of our tourism economy as well as a playground for Arizonans, will have to shutter eight facilities or take similar drastic steps.

Everything should be on the table for 2010.  Reorganizing for greater efficiencies.  Using toll roads.  Maximizing the use of technology.  And as a last resort — if the only other option is gutting essential functions and jeopardizing Arizona’s future — the list should include the T-word.  Re-examining tax breaks.  Deferring the rollout of tax cuts.  Revamping and broadening the tax system.

We can look at ideas kicked around in the 40-plus other states facing shortfalls.  With a June 30 deadline for crafting a budget, we have time for thoughtful analysis.  But we have no time to waste on rhetoric and grandstanding.