The World in Brief
AP
Issue date: 8/24/06 Section: World
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State park problems in Texas turn political
AUSTIN - With crumbling facilities, staffing shortages and reduced hours of operations at some sites, the 600,000-acre Texas state park system has become one of the hot political issues in the November election.
Candidates for governor are chiming in and state lawmakers are gearing up for what is sure to be a push for a major budget boost to get the state's canyons, rivers and trail parks cleaned, opened and restored to levels the public demands.
On Thursday, the State Parks Advisory Committee will recommend spending an extra $85.4 million each year to help with operations, repairs, buying more land and other items, according to figures presented last week to the Legislature by the state Parks and Wildlife Department.
"I like what I hear," said Beth McDonald, president of the Texans for State Parks advocacy group that launched a grassroots campaign early this year to push for more money. "The parks system helps people connect to the state, connect with nature, rejuvenate and relax."
Like other state agencies, park operations have been snared in the budget constraints that had lawmakers juggling how to pay for schools, nursing homes and medical insurance and care for children and the poor, among other priority items.
At some parks, officials eliminated overnight camping, closed swimming pools and limited use of recreational facilities and boat ramps.
Cuts included staff layoffs and at some parks, crews stripped parts off old cars and lawnmowers for repairs.
But park enthusiasts pushed back, demanding that the state be a better steward of public land. In January, McDonald predicted a "statewide uprising" on the issue.Verdicts for Saddam and seven co-defendants are expected in that case Oct. 16. He faces a possible execution by hanging if convicted, although he has the right to appeal, a process that could take months.
The 1987-88 Operation Anfal was aimed at crushing independence-minded Kurdish militias and clearing all Kurds from the northern region along the border with Iran. Saddam accused the Kurds of helping Iran in its war with Iraq.
AUSTIN - With crumbling facilities, staffing shortages and reduced hours of operations at some sites, the 600,000-acre Texas state park system has become one of the hot political issues in the November election.
Candidates for governor are chiming in and state lawmakers are gearing up for what is sure to be a push for a major budget boost to get the state's canyons, rivers and trail parks cleaned, opened and restored to levels the public demands.
On Thursday, the State Parks Advisory Committee will recommend spending an extra $85.4 million each year to help with operations, repairs, buying more land and other items, according to figures presented last week to the Legislature by the state Parks and Wildlife Department.
"I like what I hear," said Beth McDonald, president of the Texans for State Parks advocacy group that launched a grassroots campaign early this year to push for more money. "The parks system helps people connect to the state, connect with nature, rejuvenate and relax."
Like other state agencies, park operations have been snared in the budget constraints that had lawmakers juggling how to pay for schools, nursing homes and medical insurance and care for children and the poor, among other priority items.
At some parks, officials eliminated overnight camping, closed swimming pools and limited use of recreational facilities and boat ramps.
Cuts included staff layoffs and at some parks, crews stripped parts off old cars and lawnmowers for repairs.
But park enthusiasts pushed back, demanding that the state be a better steward of public land. In January, McDonald predicted a "statewide uprising" on the issue.Verdicts for Saddam and seven co-defendants are expected in that case Oct. 16. He faces a possible execution by hanging if convicted, although he has the right to appeal, a process that could take months.
The 1987-88 Operation Anfal was aimed at crushing independence-minded Kurdish militias and clearing all Kurds from the northern region along the border with Iran. Saddam accused the Kurds of helping Iran in its war with Iraq.
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