Finally the Texas Legislature is going to quit diverting our Pitman/Robertson gun and ammo excise tax funds from TPWD. Maybe we can get some of the new WMA open to draw hunts and APH hunts also.

Quote:

In the last biennium, sales tax collected on sporting goods amounted to roughly $250 million; 41 percent, or $109 million, ended up with the state parks department. That money covered about half the budget of the state parks division.

By Asher Price - American-Statesman Staff
Posted: 12:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016


When Onion Creek flooded McKinney Falls State Park over Halloween in 2013, the rushing water took with it at least two dozen picnic tables and waist-high grills, uprooted trees and destroyed walking trails.

And the visitor center — a limestone building overlooking the creek that was home to an interpretation center and a classroom space for school kids — was inundated with water.

More than two years later, the visitor center remains closed. Visits by schoolchildren to the Southeast Austin park remain off, and the park lacks the kind of exhibit space that officials say is important to an educational experience.

But flush with cash after lawmakers passed a breakthrough law to send more money its way, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is now poised to make improvements to the McKinney Falls park and sites across the state.

Central Texans will see new bathrooms at Pedernales Falls State Park, repairs to a flood-damaged dam in Bastrop State Park and the fixing of boat ramps at Inks Lake State Park.




more:

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/sta...-aim-for/nqYxt/

Are there legal limitations on how Pittman Robertson money can be spent?
For example, buying a WMA seems like a legit use but fixing restrooms on a state park that doesn't allow fishing/hunting seems like a stretch. While diverting it to the general fund seems criminal.

Increased funding to bring big changes to Texas' state parks

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Community Reports


The future of Texas State Parks looks bright —exceedingly bright!



Recent legislation passed by the 84th Texas Legislature provides a significant increase in funding for Texas parks. For the 2016-2017 biennium, House Bill 158 dedicates 94 percent of state sales tax revenue from the sale of sporting goods to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.



See the Improvements Coming to Parks at



TexasStateParks.org/BrighterFuture



How the New Funding Will Improve State Parks



As a result of the increased funding, there are more than 80 state park repair and improvement projects scheduled, using a combination of new appropriations plus funding from previous legislative sessions. An overview of these projects includes:



Major Projects



Galveston Island State Park beachside will be redeveloped after being destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. The transformational plan includes restrooms, boardwalks to the beach, tent camping platforms, multi-use campsites with electric and water service, group shelters, and day use picnic shelters.



Franklin Mountains State Park will receive a new visitors’ center.



Battleship Texas State Historic Site will benefit from the repair and replacement of critical structural components of the ship.



Palo Pinto Mountains State Park - Engineering and construction design planning will begin for this new 4,400 acre park which is 1 hour west of Ft. Worth.



Repairs to Historic Structures



Many structures at our state parks are historic and in need of careful repair and restoration:
•Historic motor court at Balmorhea State Park
•Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park
•Lighthouse at Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site
•Historic CCC swimming pool and bathhouse at Abilene State Park
•Historic structures and site at Monument Hill and Kreische House and Brewery
•CCC Rock Tabernacle at Mother Neff State Park
•Custodian’s Cottage at Goliad State Park & Historic Site




State Parks Damaged by Natural Disasters



Repairs and/or replacement will be made to facilities and trails damaged by floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. Damaged parks slated for work in 2016-2017 includeMcKinney Falls State Park, Bastrop State Park, and Davis Mountains State Park.



General Improvements and Repairs



Nineteen restrooms will be replaced throughout the state. (This will make many park visitors very happy!)



Water, wastewater, and electrical service renovations and replacements will be completed at 13 state parks. Although not usually visible to our park visitors, functioning and energy-efficient utility systems are important to the everyday workings of a state park as they provide reliable water and electricity to visitors.



All of these much-needed repairs will enhance our park visitors’ experience in one way or another. Find out if improvements are being made to your favorite parks at www.TexasStateParks.org/BrighterFuture


http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=19796

The future of Texas State Parks looks bright — exceedingly bright!



Thanks to passage of landmark bills by the 84th Legislature, Texas State Parks will receive 94 percent of state sales tax revenue attributed to sporting goods, and more flexibility to spend these dollars where they are most needed.




Funding State Parks Now and Into the Future


Texas State Parks Receives $90 Million for Critical Park Improvements

In the recent legislative session State Parks received $90 million for critical park repairs and other capital projects – surpassing $11 million received in 2014 and $23 million received in 2012.

See the list of projects »


http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/improv...rce=govdelivery

State Park Improvement Projects


Parks with improvements in planning stage or already underway. Thanks to funding from dedicated allocation of sporting goods sales tax, special one-time funding, and funding from previous legislative sessions. Completion of some projects is contingent on future legislative appropriations.

Updated January 28, 2016

The list:
http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/improvement/projects.phtml

All very good news. A lot of sportsmen had no idea they were getting double taxed with the money being diverted to the general fund.