The unanimous vote by the Arizona State Parks Board to close two-thirds of the state’s parks last Friday was a blow not only to RVers that use the parks for camping and other recreational and educational interests, but to all the state’s residents and visitors.
The decision, though understandable by short-sighted politicians during this fiscal crisis, is one that is being faced across the nation, most seriously in the states of Nevada, California, and Florida in addition to Arizona where the debt crisis is the largest.
With the current populist mantra of “no new taxes,” rampant joblessness, and widespread housing foreclosures, it is understandable why politicians won’t get behind practical methods to save the parks that could require a new tax. One such plan that was proposed in Arizona, with a similar petition making the rounds in California, calls for the creation of a foundation, separate from the General Fund, to finance and operate the state parks. It would require a new tax, $15 was the figure used, to be added to the vehicle registration fee of every vehicle registered in the state.
The total amount raised would go to the foundation and satisfy all the bugetary requirements for park operation and maintenance. And the fund would be immune from confiscation by politicians, as was the case in Arizona, to pay non-related state debt or to supply operating revenue.
The closure of the parks to politicians does not have the face of a voter on it, as would a single mother who loses her job, or a retired widow who loses her house. But this plan went nowhere, because all those vehicle owners in the state suddenly appeared in the politicians’ radar as furious voters. Why should they point out that the plan would give all vehicle owners free admission to all the state parks as a bonus for the $15 fee--which is less than half what two visits would normally cost? After all, it would make them sound pro-tax, a dirty word in this financial environment.
But what is potentially worse, is that when politicians in other states see that absconding with state park operating funds, cutting the parks’ budgets to impossible figures, and punishing and closing parks that do not pay for themselves can bring in badly needed revenue, the Arizona parks closures could be just the first domino to fall in a nationwide “close the parks” pandemic. Forget the fact that state parks were not created to be profit-making entities, but to provide recreation to the states’ citizens and visitors, which is the job--and responsibility--of elected officials everywhere.
Are we to kowtow to legislative irresponsibility and allow these valuable historic, natural history, and scenic locations to be closed simply because they don’t produce a profit? What will be next? Trash collectors? They don’t produce a profit. Nor do school teachers, police, fire fighters, or as a matter of fact, politicians.
17 comments:
easy solution, stop giving money to illegal immigrants.
Closing State Parks makes about as much sense as a politician doing
what is right for the people he serves. The only time a politician does something good for the good
of all people he serves is when he gets out of office and shuts up.
I can understand the reluctance to add $13 to the registration of vehicles in the state of Arizona. Already the fees for plates are extremely high. Not unusual for a late model car to be tagged for $200-500 per year.
I think the answer is get rid of the incumberants at the next election and show the Politicians who is susposed to be the boss.
Registration fees in AZ are already ridiculously high. Tags on my motorhome were $3600.00 the first year. The second and subsequent years I've registered it out of state for less than $200.00 annually. So, because of AZ's greed, they've lost all vehicle revenue from me. Higher taxes are NEVER the answer, lower spending is. Spend no more than you have and you'll never get in over your head. Individuals have to live within a budget, why is it unreasonable to expect the government to do the same?
I recently purchased a year round day pass for AZ state parks and now they're closing most of them..governments at every level have gotten too BIG and the operating cost of each is too much for the taxpayer to burden.Closing our parks will not save AZ money..It will lower the value of the parks and cost more to bring them back.
Closing 21 out of 30 Arizona state parks... The words simply do not exist, or are unprintable, that describe the sheer stupidity and short-sightedness of this move. And makes me SO HAPPY that I am NOT an Arizonan.
I am a New Mexican, a MUCH poorer state than AZ, also in serious fiscal trouble and deep debt, but although our state parks are forced to be closed for 5 specific furlough dates from Dec-Mar 2010, we have not permanently closed any of our 35 beautiful state parks. In fact, we opened a new state park last year, historic Cerrillos Hills. Clearly New Mexican politicians and state values are more sensibly prioritized than our neighbor to the west.
Interesting article AND revealing comments -- http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/01/16/20100116parkclosures0116.html#comments
Volunteers offered to take over running the state parks slated for closure WITHOUT ANY assistance from the state -- "no can do" responded the Board. ... Why not?
How much will it cost the state for security, to patrol the closed state parks to avoid unauthorized "use", theft, vandalism, etc? And to fine and/or prosecute those caught unlawfully using or abusing closed state park land and properties? Last I heard, security and legal professionals still are charging for their services...
21 out of 30 state parks are either already closed or slated for closure this year, leaving 9 open; those 9 generate Profit for the state. I thought state parks were supposed to be non-profit entities... That has tax and all kinds of fiscal advantages.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THESE CLOSED STATE PARKS? The Board indicates they intend to re-open them "as soon as it has the funds to do so". Oh PLEASE... give me a break. Or better yet, give me an example of a state park closure ANYWHERE that has been re-opened?
I'll bet that 2/3 rds of the board won't resign to cover expenses. It would seem to me that with 2/3 rds less parks, the workload should drop by the same amount. Or perhaps another gov't section could take over park ops, and eliminate the entire board?
The tax payers of AZ. have spoken. They were tired of the waste as a result of the legislature spending money they did not have for things that did not benefit the State. As a result of the numerous taxpayer propositions, the majority of the state budget items are now mandatory items and not subject to the robbery committed by the legislature. The taxpayers already have a significant tax burden in a state with a low income average and a dearth of industry. They have decreed that items necessary to the state be first priority for the short amount of funds available. Those folks live there and pay for the items in the state as well as the federally mandated yet unfunded requirements placed on them by the Federal Government such as medical care and housing for illegals who also do not pay taxes there.
I would imagine the complaints would be considerably higher if the parks charged the user fees that actually covered the costs of the parks operations. There is no doubt in my mind that the fees would be significant and approach or exceed 3 figures for admission.
TAANSTAFL, There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.
I live in Wyoming, but travel much in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. We have seen many closures simply because they were there. We pass a very nice state rest area/overnight park nearly every week that was closed because it is a bit remote. It was highly used by travelers, but now sits completely unused... nice restroom facilities, parking lot and lighting... but we are no longer allowed to stop there. It took one person with one truck once or twice a week to clean up the place that we always gladly paid user fees for. Georgeous views, a clean area with short hiking trails and overnight facilites. It's just sad.
For all you in AZ, you have my deepest sympathies. We are a nation of travelers, with desires to see our grand country, and Arizona is a traveler' state. Those brain surgeons in the AZ state legislature I am sure did not think about the fact that people who regularly travel through their beautiful state will now circumvent AZ in favor of other routes where they can find open parks and stopping places. They are supposted to be representing the people, are they not?
Of course, the brain surgeons would rather give up the thousands it costs to keep the parks open in favor of the milliions they would receive from fees and taxes from the purchases of these very same travelers. Now they will spend their money elsewhere, further weakening the AZ economy. In a way, I should thank the AZ legislators... for now, I am sure many of those travalers will come and spend their money in Wyoming and Colorado.
For the "anonymous" who concludes with his cute "TAANSTAFL", I can only say that you need to rethink your idea of who the taxpayers are, where the source of income is and who it is that has spoken. In times of difficult economy, we should have learned a long time ago that shooting yourself in the foot is much more damaging (and permanent) than tightening your belt.
I think it will really hurt tourism in Arizona to close their State parks.
At the same time, however, I think that adding a tax the the vehicle registration, or charging some other kind of tax would be very unpopular.
In reality, I doubt that the majority of the citizens of Arizona have ever even used a State Park, even once. As RVers, we tend to think everyone in the world has an RV, but we're really a minority. The "great unwashed" are content to sit in front of their TVs, watching sports. They don't care about state parks, and don't want their taxes raised for something they don't use.
For "anonymous" of Jan 25... Profoundly put! The average joe doesn't care. But it's the leaders of a state and its facilities that should realize that it's us travelers that bring money into a state that depends on tourism for a significant part of their income. Would you not agree?
Totally agree, the board also needs to be reduced by 2/3rds. As well as for the staff members, etc. What use are they? Can anyone imagine the confusion of having the staff at the 9 open state parks having the extra 2/3rds staff trying to run or do their jobs. Of course there would be extra transportation and housing costs for these displaced workers at these 9 open parks?!?!? Why not let the volunteers run the parks as they do most of the work now! Eliminate the board by adding it to other underachieving or undertasked state agencies. How many millions would be saved? Let alone the parks would be better run, as it would not be just a job for the volunteers, but an adventure,one they would most definitely improve!! What will be the cost of storing the closed parks and of course renovations to reopen??
Really dumb thoughts those legislators have!!! Especially since it is mainly non-residents who use many of your state parks!! Benefitting the local economy and your state coffers!!
Actually, it's a long established pattern that (in large companies, exemplified by the US Postal Service) managers tend to dismantal their companies (or government services) in the process of making themselves look good. They can show how they are saving soooooo much money... not even caring that they are distroying their own source of income. Greed and self-service serve alright: they serve to destroy the very thing they say they love.
After having just completed a motorhome trip through Arizona, I have to agree that totally closing the rest stops is not only ridiculous but has the potential to cause some serious accidents. Close the restrooms, coffee stalls, information buildings if you want but why not let a tried RV'er or trucker or 5th wheeler who desperately needs to stop for "whatever" reason take the side road off the highway into the rest stop "area" for their break. We couldn't believe the on and off ramps totally blocked with huge traffic cones and barriers so NO ONE can drive in, turn the motor off and rest for 1/2 hour before continuing on. WHY? Made no sense to us! We were happy to get to New Mexico where they have the good sense to keep these areas open.
Good sense indeed, Louise! We were delighted to find out just a few days ago that after 2 "furlough" days in December and January (one day/two night closures of New Mexico state parks), this enlightened state decided to KEEP NEW MEXICO STATE PARKS OPEN all the time! Who needs Arizona? After a 10 day stay at Oliver Lee State Park nestled against the gorgeous Sacramento Mountains, we are en route to Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus.
Arizona state park officials and legislators should try to learn from their neighbor to the east.
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Index.htm
Is there ANYONE who is reading these blogs who can send them along to their state legislators, congressmen or representatives? Since I'm not a AZ resident, it would not be prudent for me to do so.
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