Month: March 2010

Viewpoint: Arizona Legislature’s passes a budget that slashes education, healthcare, state parks, and so much more

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[Source: Jim Nintzel, Tucson Weekly, 3-18-2010] — In an effort to avoid raising taxes in the face of a budget deficit of more than $2 billion, Republicans in the Arizona Legislature cut more than a billion dollars in state spending last week.  Allowing only one day for testimony regarding the budget bills in both the House and the Senate appropriation committees, GOP lawmakers eliminated state support for all-day kindergarten, took away health insurance from more than 300,000 Arizonans below the federal poverty level, and eliminated the KidsCare program that provided health-care coverage for children.

State support for people with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses has been cut back, with an estimated 14,600 seriously mentally ill adults and 4,200 children losing their assistance.  The state’s GED and adult-education programs have been eliminated, as have dropout-prevention programs and AIMS intervention tutoring.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Viewpoint: State park closures threaten who we are

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[Source: April Stolarz, College Times, 3-18-2010] — I’m just gonna throw it out there: Because of the economy, a lot of things suck.  Yes, that’s a general statement and pretty blunt, but many people have been affected by the economy’s low blows and harsh punches.  The latest in the economic whirlwind of crappiness comes full force with the closing of Arizona state parks.  Closings have occurred in increments and the last big sweep is set for June 3.  After that, nine parks will remain open.

Some of you may be reading this thinking, “why should I care about a state park closing?”  Now that’s up to you and your feelings.  I’m not going to tell you how to feel about this issue, but I’ll throw in some of my ideas about these jewels of nature.  By definition, parks are: an area of land, usually in a largely natural state, for the enjoyment of the public.  What will happen to the parks once the public can’t enjoy them anymore?  Will the landmarks not be preserved?

Sure, there are tons of places in Arizona to go hiking, observe wildlife, camp and explore, but no land is preserved like the land in a state park.  State parks are preserved for a reason.  Aside from the hiking and exploring, state parks are places where you can truly learn about Arizona and truly understand what makes the state so special.  Yes, I know you can appreciate Arizona by simply looking outside at the towering mountains and the colorful sunsets, but state parks provide a deeper meaning of understanding, a further look into the state’s history, a glimpse into the past.

Nature, flourishing and thriving as it is, provides us with a deeper sense of what our country is, of who we are.  It provides a serene realism to the hectic lives we lead.  It’s both a comfort and refreshment that we too often take for granted.  If the state takes that away from us, who know what’ll possibly come next.

Viewpoint: Don’t tolerate the closing of state parks

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[Source: Roxanne Cary Cheney, Eastern Arizona Courier, 3-17-2010] — I want to commend Diane Saunders for her March 7 article about the potential closure of Roper Lake.  However, I need to clarify some of the data.  Roper Lake is budgeted for four full-time employees.  If Roper Lake closes, it will cost Graham County about $5 million in lost revenue and about 70-80 jobs.  That loss cannot be tolerated!  Do the legislators and governor hope to make a ghost town out of our fair community?

Additionally, the governor has now stolen the Heritage Funds and directed them toward her bottomless pit (of a) mismanaged budget.  The Arizona State Parks Board Heritage Fund was established in November 1990 by voter initiative and provides up to $10 million annually to Arizona State Parks from Arizona Lottery proceeds (A.R.S. §41-503).  Another $10 million annually goes to the Department of Game and Fish to conserve natural resources and protect endangered species.  This portends the ultimate lifeline for State Parks.  Do our state administrators have any answers for the one lucrative revenue source they are killing?  Yes, they will let private companies manage a few of the parks, as it works so well in California State Parks.  This is NOT true.  Californians can pay up to $70 for the luxury of going to a mismanaged and dirty state park that is now managed through a concessionaries contract.  Do not let this happen. Flood your legislators with letters or phone calls.

Please call your legislators today and let them know you will not tolerate the elimination of the state parks as we know them today.  If you would like to be a part of the ongoing fight to save our state parks, please join the Friends for Roper Lake.  You can contact me at 775-230-2225 or Roxi1b@yahoo.com.

Viewpoint: Put a state-park-funding plan on the ballot

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[Source: Kathleen Ingley, Arizona Republic] — After taking British visitors on a day trip from Phoenix, I started thinking of wonderful places for their next visit.  Jerome and the Douglas Mansion’s mining displays.  Gorgeous Red Rock State Park. Fort Verde for a taste of the Old West.  But they’re closing.  Legislators drained state-park funding.  They must at least let voters consider restoring it through license fees.