If you are tired of having the extra tax we all pay on sporting goods going to everything else but what it was intended for, it's time to cast your vote.

The proposition is officially called Texas Proposition 5, Sales Tax on Sporting Goods Dedicated to Parks, Wildlife, and Historical Agencies Amendment (2019). Should it fail to pass, the Texas legislature will be allowed to decide how much of the revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods is allocated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission.


With video. https://www.wideopenspaces.com/texans-can-keep-state-parks-funded-without-new-taxes-heres-how/

Thanks for posting that.

So your saying to vote YES on Proposition 5...….correct?

Yes.

Thanks again for the reminder.

I'll Google when early voting starts and put it on my calendar.

Thanks for posting. This one is important for sportsmen.

https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Proposition_5,_Sales_Tax_on_Sporting_Goods_Dedicated_to_Parks,_Wildlife,_and_Historical_Agencies_Amendment_(2019)

Everyone should keep something in mind when it comes to votes like this though. It certainly sounds like a great idea - forcing the money to go where we would like to see it go. But when you take away the ability of the legislature to assign funds elsewhere, the reality of what happens is they find another way to tax us to get funds for those "other things". In other words, a vote to restrict the use of specific taxes, ultimately leads to more taxes. Just something to think about.

Personally, I haven't decided how I will vote on this. I need a lot more information about the amount of taxes raised and where it's going before I decide that a constitutional amendment on the matter is necessary.

How much is raised in sales taxes versus the amount allocated to TPWD by the state? If the amount of sales taxes is less than or equal to what is allocated then it would be better to continue to fight for a higher allocation of funds. Once the sales tax revenues are set aside, the leg is less likely to allocated more funds to TPWD (IMO).. I'm not against the proposition, I just need more information.

I will say this as a CPA. The TSBCPA did this with with our dues monies several years ago. Our dues wholly support the TSBCPA and our dues went down. That does tell you something.

Texans Can Keep State Parks Funded Without New Taxes, Here's How:

The upcoming November, 2019 election represents a historic opportunity for Texans to secure funds for wild places.
Outdoorsmen and women can talk all they want about conservation and protecting our heritage, but when you have tangible ways of making a difference, the opportunities speak for themselves.
That's why it's worth paying attention to the upcoming November 5, 2019 election in Texas, where voters have a chance to ensure funds pulled from the Sporting Goods Sales Tax go towards support of state parks and historic sites.
Proposition 5 introduces an Amendment to the Texas Constitution that addresses the need for a continual stream of resources, but doesn't require any new taxes or fees. The idea is to preserve the very things we appreciate about the state.
It's about having more places to fish, with water qualities high enough to support populations. It's about protecting and improving space for wildlife to thrive. It's about giving kids more places to camp and hike.


The Texas Coalition for State Parks has been pushing for the approval of Prop 5, and has created a web resource with more info, including this video.

https://vimeo.com/363410311

https://www.wideopenspaces.com/texans-can-keep-state-parks-funded-without-new-taxes-heres-how/

Proposition 5 (S.J.R. 24)
The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.
Summary Analysis
S.J.R. 24 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to automatically appropriate all state revenue attributable to state sales and use taxes imposed on sporting goods to the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. The proposed amendment provides that the money is to be allocated between the agencies in the manner provided by general law and authorizes the legislature to impose limitations on the agencies’ use of the money. The proposed amendment allows the legislature by a two-thirds vote to temporarily reduce by up to 50 percent the amount of the money appropriated to the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission and provides that the money appropriated to the agencies may not be used by the comptroller of public accounts for purposes of certifying the biennial state budget.

Comments by Supporters:
• State parks in Texas received a record 9.7 million visits in fiscal year 2017. Chronic underfunding of the state park system, however, has left many parks unable to safely and adequately accommodate visitors. The constitutional amendment will help to ensure that our parks have the resources they need to adequately fund deferred maintenance projects, maintain appropriate staff levels, ensure visitor safety, and expand to meet the needs of a growing population.
• Ensuring that the Texas Historical Commission continues to receive appropriate sporting goods sales tax revenue will afford the commission the ability to properly manage and maintain the many historic sites under the commission’s control.
• Although current law provides for the allocation of sporting goods sales tax revenue to the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission, the amount of that revenue actually appropriated by the legislature to the agencies is often substantially less than the total amount of revenue derived from that tax. This discrepancy leaves the agencies underfunded and unable to engage in long-term planning due to ever-changing funding levels. Providing for the automatic appropriation of sporting goods sales tax revenue will ensure that there is a sustained and predictable funding mechanism for the state park system and the state’s historic sites.
• State parks generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually in economic benefits for the state’s rural communities. Ensuring that the state park system is properly funded will allow local communities in and around state parks to continue to thrive.
more at:

rest of story

Early Voting Begins Monday; Constitutional Amendment Supporting State, Local Parks and Historic Sites on Ballot
If passed, funds from the existing Sporting Goods Sales Tax will be constitutionally dedicated to addressing the needs of parks and historic sites across Texas

AUSTIN—Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 21, and Texans will have the opportunity to vote on 10 constitutional amendments, including Proposition 5. If approved, Prop 5 would guarantee that revenue received from the collection of existing state sales taxes on sporting goods is appropriated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Historical Commission (THC).

The Sporting Goods Sales Tax (SGST) is the portion of state sales taxes collected from the sale of sporting goods in Texas. It is neither a new tax nor will it raise taxes. State law currently authorizes the Legislature to make appropriations from the collection of sales taxes on sporting goods to support state parks, historic sites and local park grants, and Prop 5 constitutionally dedicates these funds to TPWD and THC. The allocation of the funds would be split 93% to TPWD and 7% to THC.

Dedicated appropriations from the SGST would ensure a reliable and predictable source of funding to keep not only state parks and historic sites safe and in working order, but allows TPWD and THC to provide new outdoor recreational opportunities to meet the demands of a growing state.

Funding from the SGST would allow for millions of dollars to be dedicated toward the creation and continuing development of city, county and neighborhood parks through TPWD’s local park grant program. These grants help secure the future of local parks, ensuring they will be available for generations of families in Texas to enjoy.

Additionally, the funding could help build and open undeveloped sites owned by TPWD, including the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area between Kendall and Bandera County, Davis Hill State Park in Liberty County, Chinati Mountains State Natural Area in Presidio County, the Dan A. Hughes Unit of Devils River State Natural Area in Val Verde County and acreage adjacent to the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area in Calhoun County slated to be transferred to TPWD for future development as a state park.

The SGST has been instrumental in funding numerous repair and improvement projects within the Texas State Park system, such as the new visitors’ centers at Mission Tejas State Park and Franklin Mountains State Park, new cabins at Fort Boggy State Park, restroom and wastewater treatment plant replacement at Garner State Park, replacement of restrooms at Caddo Lake State Park and repairs to the dam at Huntsville State Park, just to name a few.

A list of on-going and completed repair and improvement projects at state parks across Texas can be found online at http://texasstateparks.org/brighterfuture.

For more information on the Nov. 5 election, visit the Texas Secretary of State’s website at https://www.votetexas.gov.

2019-10-17


More Information:

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Texas BHA Supports Sporting Goods Sales Tax Constitutional Amendment

On November 5, 2019, Texans will decide on a ballot measure to amend the Texas Constitution to constitutionally dedicate the Sporting Goods Sales Tax to our Texas state and local parks. If approved, the amendment will permanently dedicate revenue from the existing sales tax on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Sporting goods include tangible items that are designed and sold for use for a sporting activity excluding apparel and footwear except that which is suitable only for use in a sport or sporting activity, and excluding board games, electronic games and similar devices, and aircraft and powered vehicles. The amendment does not increase sales taxes but will dedicate existing taxes to the TPWD and THC in order to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites. In 1993, the state legislature passed legislation allowing up to 94% of the sporting goods sales tax to go to the TPWD and 6% to the THC however in the past 26 years an average of just 40% of the tax has been allocated to the organizations with the balance going to help balance the state budget. The amendment will ensure that the TPWD and THC will always get the maximum amount.
more:

https://www.backcountryhunters.org/...goods_sales_tax_constitutional_amendment

Seen one going around on FB , might not B the same one...
The way the Bill is worded, a yes means No & a No means Yes...
Can B tough if ya got a D- in grammer...

on the info...

While no longer living in have family & friends... people i call friends & care about...
Twas passing threw in 83, it's a big state, took 30+ years...
We started our family camping at state parks, & surrounding camp grounds when they was wee bit little, still in diapers... Were grew up, hunting & fishing twas about family & friends working together ta put on D & freezer... Leases we were on, wife & kids came with, or NO lease, main priority, it twas family camping, & i enjoyed time spent in D woods... As kids got older, they too joined in. .
Leasing got Too expensive, went ta highest bidder. .
Twas a True BLESSING when a WMA opened up down the road...
Road from Lindale ta Mineola, they had recently opened up area for hiking & observing wild life on the right (E) side...
Spent time with daughter & grandkids, just walking trails...
Things have changed here also...
Tis just a voice in the wind...
Best wish's...

Texas Proposition 5, the Sales Tax on Sporting Goods Dedicated to Parks, Wildlife, and Historical Agencies Amendment, is on the ballot in Texas as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 5, 2019.[1]

A "yes" vote supports this constitutional amendment to dedicate revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission.

A "no" vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thus allowing the legislature to decide how much of the revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods is allocated to the state Parks and Wildlife Department and the state Historical Commission.

What would Proposition 5 change?
In Texas, the state legislature is allowed to appropriate revenue from the sales tax (6.25 percent) on sporting goods to the state Parks and Wildlife Department and the state Historical Commission. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is responsible for estimating how much revenue the sales tax on sporting goods generates using a national market data on sporting good sales.[2] According to the Texas Senate Research Center, "the actual appropriation is often much less than the [estimated revenue]."[3]
Proposition 5 would add language to the Texas Constitution dedicate revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods to the state Parks and Wildlife Department and the state Historical Commission. Whereas the current law allows the legislature to allocate the revenue for other uses, Proposition 5 would require a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber to reduce the amount for the parks, wildlife, and historical agencies. Furthermore, the ballot measure would prohibit the legislature from decreasing the amount for the parks, wildlife, and historical agencies by more than 50 percent
snip

Supporting Officials
Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R-24)[8]
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-18)[8]
Sen. Donna Campbell (R-25)[8]
Sen. Peter Flores (R-19)[8]
Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-20)[8]
Sen. Joan Huffman (R-17)[8]
Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-1)[8]
Sen. Jose Menendez (D-26)[8]
Sen. Robert Nichols (R-3)[8]
Sen. Charles Perry (R-28)[8]
Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-29)[8]
Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-21)[8]
Rep. John Cyrier (R-17)[9]
more:
https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Proposition_5,_Sales_Tax_on_Sporting_Goods_Dedicated_to_Parks,_Wildlife,_and_Historical_Agencies_Amendment_(2019)

The Texas Coalition for State Parks is a diverse group of 75 organizations with hundreds of thousands of hunters, anglers, land owners, conservationists, business leaders and outdoor enthusiasts. The Coalition came together during the 86th Session of the Texas Legislature and successfully advocated on behalf of our state parks and historic sites.

Listing of Coalition Members of March 20, 2019
Access Fund | ANCA Texas | Apache Corporation | Audubon Texas | Austin Parks Foundation | Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Biking Club | Backcountry Hunters & Anglers | Bayou Land Conservancy | Bayou Preservation Association Big Bend Conservation Alliance | Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust | BikeTexas | Braun & Gresham, PLLC | Caddo Lake Institute | Cibolo Nature Center and Farm | Coastal Bend Bays and Estuary Program | Coastal Conservation Association | Comal County Conservation Alliance | Colorado River Land Trust | The Conservation Fund | Dallas Urban Forest | Ducks Unlimited | East Texas Woods & Waters Foundation | El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association | Environment Texas | Fin & Fur Films | Fort Worth Audubon Society | Friends of Enchanted Rock | Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge | Friends of the Brazos River | Friends of White Rock Lake | Frontera Land Alliance | Galveston Bay Foundation | Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance | Green Spaces Alliance | Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust | Hill Country Alliance | Hill Country Conservancy | Hill Country Land Trust | Katy Prairie Conservancy | Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club | National Parks Conservation Association | National Wildlife Federation | Native Plant Society of Texas | The Nature Conservancy | Northeast Texas Trails Coalition | Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, Inc. | Primitive Texas and Louisiana | Rails-to-Trails Conservancy | Safari Club International – Austin Chapter | Safari Club International – Houston Chapter | Spectrum Trail Racing | Stewards of the Wild | Texans for State Parks | Texas Agricultural Land Trust | Texas Center for Policy Studies | Texas Conservation Alliance | Texas Deer Association | Texas Food & Fuel Alliance | Texas Foundation for Conservation | Texas Historic Tree Coalition |Texas Land Trust Council | Texas Outdoor Partners | Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation | Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) | Texas Municipal League | Texas Rivers Protection Association | Texas Travel Industry Association | Texas Wildlife Association | The Wildlife Society – Texas Chapter | Travis Audubon Society | Trinity Nature Conservancy | The Trust for Public Land | Wimberley Valley Watershed Association

https://www.supporttexasparks.org/coalition/

I will add:

In a sample set of 1 Texas Park Ranger - he stated that there are many projects at his park that were not being completed simply because of funding and time frame issues. His main critique was that funding varied every 2 years (following the Texas session schedule), so most projects had to be cheap enough and small enough to fit into a 2 year time frame, or they had to use funds such as donation money because that could be allocated beyond the legislative sessions (I think?).

I'll be voting "yes" for Prop 5 and in hopes that it starts to fix up some of the deferred maintenance issues I've seen at my frequented state parks.

good to know....YES

I just voted for this measure.

Yes from me and thanks for being so informative about this.

Prop 5 passed. Maybe the legislature will also vote it in and make it final? Should be great for more parks opening, funding, and more draw hunting coming.

https://texashuntingforum.com/forum...of-state-parks-and-historic-#Post7653549

Hopefully!

"The amendment’s guarantee of full revenue from the sporting goods sales tax can only be tampered with by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate, and even in that case, the amendment prevents the legislature from taking more than half from TPWD and THC. "
https://www.chron.com/sports/outdoo...rove-Prop-5-by-overwhelming-14812949.php

I'm going to be keeping a close eye which legislators decide to circumvent the will of Texas voters and vote no on this. I will make it my personal project to ensure that they are voted out of office.