R-2006-21 support increased funding for Texas Recreation and Parks

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RESOLUTION NO. M A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING THE MEMBERS OF THE 80TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SUPPORT INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION & PARKS ACCOUNT LOCAL PARK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM WHEREAS, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ("TPWD") administers the Texas Recreation & Parks Account Local Park Grant Program ("TRPA") and manages 114 State parks and historical sites in Texas; and WHEREAS, TPWD has a separate account in their general revenue fund referred to as the TRPA for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions for parks and recreation projects; and WHEREAS, the matching grants provided by the TPWD are utilized for the planning, acquisition, and development of local park, recreation and open space areas to be owned and maintained by political subdivisions; and WHEREAS, funds granted to political subdivisions under the TRPA guidelines have funded 1,029 projects of the 2,851 submitted over 25 years delivering over $623 million dollars to the local Texas economy; and WHEREAS, political subdivisions throughout the State of Texas depend on grants from TPWD through the TRPA to stimulate the acquisition and development of parks and recreational areas for the benefit and enjoyment of their citizenry; and WHEREAS, the TRPA and State parks are funded from sales tax on sporting goods and that the development of new parks stimulates the purchase of sporting goods; and WHEREAS, continued cutbacks in appropriations for State park and historic sites have resulted in a backlog of deferred maintenance issues, park dosures, reduced hours and days of operation, staff layoffs, the conversion of some parks to day use only and elimination of important visitor services, regardless of the growing need for new parks due to the State's expanding population and extensive tourism industry; and WHEREAS, the development of parks encourages and promotes public health, economic development, job creation, education; corporate relocations, an improved quality of life, and juvenile crime prevention; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of this City Council that a copy of this resolution with appropriate names affixed be presented to the Governor of Texas and the leadership of the 80th Texas Legislature.