Lynne Pancrazi

Arizona’s GOP lawmakers reject voluntary parks’ funding

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[Source: Linda Valdez, azcentral Opinions] – Legislature to Arizona state parks: Take a hike.

Lawmakers gutted funding for Arizona parks during the recession. Times were hard. You might say they had no choice.

Today, they had a choice. And they rejected a park near you.

This morning, the GOP-controlled Senate voted down an amendment by Democratic Sen. Lynne Pancrazi to create an easy, voluntary way for Arizonans to boost parks’ funding.

Her plan would have allowed people to make a donation to state parks and roads at the same time they register their vehicles. Simple.

In rising to oppose the idea, Senate President Andy Biggs wondered “what else will we fund this way?”

Gee. I don’t know. The list would include a lot of other things our short-sighted Republican lawmakers decide not to fund – despite public support.

Pancrazi’s amendment might not be the ideal way to fund state parks. But it beats starving some of the most popular outdoor spaces in a state long known for its beauty.

Help restore the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund!

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2/3/2012 – Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund. During the 2010 state budget crisis, the entire Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund was swept into the General Fund AND the language authorizing its existence was removed.

House Concurrent Resolution 2047, “Enacting and Ordering the Submission to the People of a Measure Relating to the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund,” has been introduced by Representative Russ Jones of Yuma. Review the bill’s language at: http://www.azleg.gov//FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/50leg/2r/bills/hcr2047p.htm&Session_ID=107.

HCR2047 has been assigned to three committees in the House: Agricultural & Water, Appropriations, and Rules. It will be first be heard in the Agriculture & Water Committee:

  • Date: Thursday, February 9
  • Time: 9 a.m.
  • Place: Hearing Room 5, House of Representatives, 1700 W. Washington St.

Individuals may testify in person by registering on the ALIS system: http://alistrack.azleg.gov/rts/login.asp View the committee agenda online at: http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/agendas/02090117107%2Edoc%2Ehtm.

If you cannot attend and are not registered on ALIS, you are welcome to contact the House Agriculture & Water Committee members to share your views:

It’s not too late to thank the bipartisan co-sponsors of HCR2047: http://www.azleg.gov//FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/50leg/2r/bills/hcr2047o.asp&Session_ID=107.