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US Vote SmartHome » 2023-11-07 election » Texas » Statewide Amendment 14 - AGAINST |
| Statewide Amendment 14 - AGAINST | |
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 Texas |
Statewide Amendment 14 - AGAINST
proposition
Texas Creation of the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund Amendment
(SJR 74): Providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.
Assertions
MCTP Position: Source 
Submitted by john wertz on 2023-10-01 21:59:52
AGAINST
Gives more power to “appointed” bodies
Major Issues
Texas Scorecard has consolidated the recommendations for voting on the upcoming state constitutional amendments.October 7, 2023
Mark Ramsey 2023 Amendments Analysis - AGAINST
Breaks the constitutional “spending caps”. Grows government. Murky—piles money into the hands of bureaucrats.
JoAnn Fleming's "GRASSROOTS AMERICA We The People" '
"Voters, beware! You are being used to grow government! Here’s how."
Current Revolt Position
Aren’t we already maintaining these? Why do we need another special fund?
VERDICT: OK, ARE WE DONE?
MCRP Position
The State Park System is presently funded by a portion of sales tax on sporting goods and state park user fees, and legislative appropriations. The new fund would initially be funded, upon passage of this amendment, with $1 billion in legislative appropriations.
The new fund “would be created as a trust fund outside the treasury and would authorize the use of the fund only for the creation and improvement of state parks, in accordance with general law, and to pay the reasonable expenses of managing the fund and its assets. The fund would consist of: (1) money appropriated, credited, or transferred to the fund by the legislature; (2) gifts, grants, and donations received by the Parks and Wildlife Department or the department’s successor in function for a purpose for which money in the fund may be used under the constitutional provision; and (3) investment earnings and interest earned on amounts credited to the fund.” (Texas Legislative Council Analysis Report)
This amendment was SJR 74 from the regular legislative session.
Recommendation: State Parks are a great heritage for our children, and they provide a means for everyone to spend time in nature, learn to appreciate it, and to protect it from development. If you have ever tried to make a reservation in your favorite park or in your favorite part of the state and found it difficult, you may want to consider voting to support this amendment.
