Jeff Wentworth, State Senator, District 25

When it comes to parks and historic sites, we Texans are both fortunate and unfortunate.

We are fortunate because the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) maintains more than 600,000 acres of parklands and historic sites in seven distinctly different regions.

Unfortunately, our historical sites, state parks and natural areas have fallen into disrepair as a result of budget cuts and a cap on funding.

One of these historical sites, Washington on the Brazos, was the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.

In previous legislative sessions, I have worked with some of my colleagues in the House of Representatives like Edmund Kuempel of Seguin and Harvey Hilderbran of Kerrville to raise the park system’s $32 million funding cap. To the detriment of state parks all across Texas, we were outvoted.

I strongly believe that our state parks should be restored to their former rightful place and appropriately maintained so they may be enjoyed by current and future Texans. Years ago, state parks were funded with revenue generated from the sale of cigarettes, but as times changed, that revenue stream declined. In 1993, the Legislature replaced it with a portion of the sales tax from sporting goods.

This revenue source produces approximately $105 million annually, more than enough to keep our parks in the best of conditions had the Legislature not later passed a $32 million funding cap. In addition to the cap, the Legislature did not always use the full $32 million for its intended purpose. For example, in the last biennium budget, only $23 million was directed to the parks.

In 2001, Texans authorized more than $100 million in bond funding for parks, but only $46 million has been issued. A Texas State Parks Advisory Committee appointed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission Chair Joseph Fitzsimons recently recommended that the state issue all bonds already approved by voters to provide for state park repairs and maintenance. The committee also recommended an $85 million annual increase in funding for state parks.

Gov. Rick Perry declared park funding as an emergency item for this year’s legislative session. He also talked about the disrepair in our parks in his State of the State Address.

With bipartisan support from both the Senate and the House, I believe that one of the bills will pass and be signed by the Governor. When that occurs, we will have taken the first step toward restoring our parks and historic sites to a condition that will attract visitors and make Texans proud.

Texas Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) represents District 25, which includes part of Bexar County. He can be reached via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .