Report examines funding for Arizona’s state parks

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[Source: Associated Press – October 22, 2009] – A new report outlines a variety of long-term funding options for Arizona’s beleaguered state parks system.  Funded with donated money, the report released Thursday was prepared by Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for the parks system and the Arizona State Parks Foundation.

The options discussed in the report include placing a voluntary surcharge on vehicle license plates, increasing concession revenue, dedicating a property or sales tax, an income-tax checkoff and private fundraising. The report says the most likely options would be a license plate surcharge, a dedicated sales tax and local partnerships. Montana now has a $4 license plate surcharge, with free entry for anyone in a vehicle with a Montana plate.

Local PBS station airs segment on plight of Arizona State Parks

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[Source: Horizon, KAET, Ted Simons, 9-30-2009] — As PBS and Ken Burns examine the rich scenic and cultural values of our national parks, KAET’s Horizon focuses its lens on Arizona State Parks.  We’ll preview an upcoming report from ASU’s Morrison Institute that considers the role and future of Arizona’s 30 State Parks.  Guests include State Parks Director, Renee Bahl; State Parks Board member, Bill Scalzo; and Morrison Institute’s Grady Gammage, Jr. who also serves on the Sustainable State Parks Task Force.  [Note: to watch the segment, click here.]

Arizona treasurer says changes needed for state budget to be fixed

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[Source: Parker Pioneer, John Gutekunst, 10-8-2009] — Arizona State Treasurer Dean Martin said he hated to be the bearer of bad news when he spoke Wednesday evening at the Parker Community/Senior Center.  He said the state is broke, and he said bad decisions on the part of state officials had more to do with this than the recession.  He added the problems won’t be fixed without some fundamental changes in how the state does business.

Martin described his job as the banker for the state.  He manages the state’s funds and investments.  His office also handles investments for the state’s counties and municipalities.  Prior to being elected Treasurer, Martin served in the Arizona Senate, where he chaired the Finance Committee.  He said he felt frustrated by the lack of long-term planning and the fact there was no “early warning” system for when budget problems were on the horizon.

After he was elected Treasurer in 2006, Martin decided to see if the difference between daily revenue and daily expenditures could be an indicator of the state’s economic health.  By researching records back to 1990, Martin said the difference grew during the good times but dropped in bad times.  During the recession of 2001-02, the numbers actually were negative.  They became positive again as the economy improved.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Discovery Garden starting to take shape at Esperanza

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[Source: Arizona Republic, Coty Delores Miranda, 10-6-2009] — After more than two years in the planning, the Kyrene de la Esperanza Discovery Garden and Outdoor Classroom is getting underway with a pond building and tree planting set for Saturday.  Volunteers are still being sought to help all day or anytime from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

With the expert guidance of Paul Holderman, founder of Pond Gnome and creator of the Koi Pond in the Phoenix Zoo entrance, volunteers will help lay the liner on the 25-foot-long pond, install a pump to recycle water in a free-falling stream over rocks, line the edges with river rock and incorporate water plants.  If possible, small native trees will also be planted in an effort to move to the second and third phases of the Discovery Garden creation.

In 2006, the Esperanza Discovery Garden began with an application to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for a $10,000 Heritage Fund grant — monies derived from Lottery ticket sales.  They received the grant in May 2007. [Note: to read the full story, click here.]