Arizona State Legislature

Arizona House panel backs funding special fund for state parks

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Florence's McFarland State Historic Park, including 1878 courthouse, now closed.

[Source: Associated Press] — Republican legislators on Tuesday moved to keep state parks open by taking money from a special fund for land conservation, rejecting criticism that the proposed diversion could violate a constitutional protection for voter-approved laws.  The House Government Committee voted 6-3 to postpone for one year a $20 million annual payment to the Land Conservation Fund and use the money to undo parks-related spending cuts and fund transfers included in a recent midyear budget-balancing package.

Parks officials have said the budget cuts could force closures of eight parks, and backers of the new proposal called it a creative way to keep some or all open.  Parks tabbed for possible closure: Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde, Homolovi Ruins State Park in Winslow, Lyman Lake State Park in Springerville, Oracle State Park in Oracle, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park in Tubac, and Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.   One of the eight, McFarland State Historic Park in Florence, was closed Friday because of deteriorating facilities.

The Land Conservation Fund was created under so-called “Growing Smarter” legislation that was approved by voters after being referred to the 1998 ballot by the Legislature.  Under the Arizona Constitution, changes to voter-approved laws can only be made with 3/4 votes by each legislative chamber and if the change furthers the intent of the original law.

Rep. Warde Nichols, a Chandler Republican who proposed the diversion, called it a “creative way” to keeping parks open while comporting with the 1998 law’s intent by promoting conservation and recreation activities.  Besides, with housing construction in a slump, “urban sprawl in our state is not currently a problem,” he said.

Rep. Tom Chabin, D-Flagstaff, said the conservation fund was for land acquisition, not other purposes.  “It could be considered a twist of logic,” he said.  Sierra Club lobbyist Sandy Bahr said the 1998 law “was sold to voters” as providing money for land conservation.  “You’re really out on a limb here,” she said.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.  To read related Arizona Republic article, click here.]

Arizona Legislature’s funding sweep could doom Bullhead City parks projects

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Rotary Park, Bullhead City

[Source: Neil Young, Mohave Daily News] — The city of Bullhead City could be left holding the bag if the state of Arizona pulls grant funding from a park improvement project already under way.  In scrambling to close a $1.6 billion budget deficit, state legislators are “sweeping” dollars from various funds, including the State Lake Improvement Funds (SLIF) and the Local, Regional and State Parks (LRSP) Heritage Fund.  Bullhead City relies heavily on grant funding for its park improvements.  “What Arizona State Parks (Department) told me,” said Karla Brady, Bullhead City’s interim parks, recreation and community services director, “the state is coming in and as of Feb. 28, taking… funding and that included already-awarded grants, which was unexpected.”

Several Bullhead City park projects would be affected, Brady said.  State Parks officials told her “only expenses incurred through Feb. 1 would be reimbursable.  I could request reimbursement within the next week or two, but basically, no more work could be done under a grant project.”

The Rotary Park north beach renovation project already is in progress. Work is being performed by Larry D. Builders, which was awarded a $454,000 contract.  “It could leave us with a liability of $224,000 in SLIF funding that we would not be able to get,” Brady said.  Finding that much money is next to impossible; Bullhead City has instituted job freezes and laid off employees due to lack of funds.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Arizona’s state parks face “devastating” cuts

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State budget cuts may cause Tonto Natural Bridge officials to postpone fixing leaky roof and restoring historic lodge. (Roundup photo file)

[Source: Pete Aleshire, Payson Roundup] — Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has put out an urgent plea for volunteer workers after learning it must lay off half its staff to cope with “devastating” legislative budget cuts.  Staggered by the a mid-year $5-million budget cut approved by lawmakers over the weekend, the Arizona State Parks Board this week held an emergency meeting to find alternatives to closing eight of the state’s 27 parks.  “We do not have enough money to run the parks until June,” said assistant director Jay Ziemann.  “The parks system is rapidly falling apart.”

The legislature has now not only cut general fund contributions to the park to a fraction of the operating cost, but has swept some $32 million from various funds earmarked by law for various park and recreation purposes. 

Tonto Natural Bridge features a 183-foot-high arch of travertine over a 150-foot-long tunnel dissolved in a wall of rock.  The park remains one of the best-known attractions in Rim Country, where towns are struggling to maintain tourism in the face of the downturn.  The cuts have killed the staff’s hopes for money to fix a leaky roof and restore the historic lodge, which park managers had hoped to contract for this spring.  Now, the park will need more volunteers just to maintain minimal operations.  [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.