At a time in which the Texas Legislature wants to give back billions of tax dollars, friends of the state’s parks system continue to battle for the revenue that rightfully should be going toward the purchase, construction and upkeep of parks.

It seems a popular notion with everyone, except maybe legislators.

In 1993 the 73rd Legislature made a healthy move and changed parks funding from a then dwindling penny-a-pack tax on cigarettes to a more robust general sales tax on selected sporting goods items. The thought was that the increased revenue would help pull the park system out of the gutter and make it a gem that attracted both Texans and out-of-state visitors.

But the tax proved too profitable and legislators couldn’t keep their hands off the tens of millions generated so they immediately started diverting funds, leaving parks with only pennies on the dollar.

Making matters worse, parks officials were forced to divvy up the money among an assortment of funds instead of putting it where it was needed most.

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