Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas It is unfortunate that the legislature continues to be less than honest with taxpayers by diverting funds from our state park system. We must be better stewards of our tax dollars and our environment and Im committed to protecting our natural treasures and am committed to honesty in the budgeting possess" said State Representative Jos Menndez (D-San Antonio) while filing House Bill 896 to ensure more funds are directed to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department from the Sporting Good Sales Tax.
The Sporting Good Sales Tax was established in 1993 as a dedicated revenue source for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. However under current budgeting practices less than half of the money earned from the Sporting Good Sales Tax goes to fund state parks and other outdoor recreational activities.
$250 million was collected from the Sporting Good Sales Tax this biennium but only $26 million was allocated. These funds will be applied to personnel costs and other programs which derive funding from the Sporting Good Sales Tax.
The misdirection of the Sporting Good Sales Tax has put a growing number of state parks and other outdoor programs at risk. House Bill 896 is a first step in halting the misappropriation of taxpayer money by allocating at least $7.6 million more from the Sporting Good Sales Tax to fund Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas It is unfortunate that the legislature continues to be less than honest with taxpayers by diverting funds from our state park system. We must be better stewards of our tax dollars and our environment and Im committed to protecting our natural treasures and am committed to honesty in the budgeting possess" said State Representative Jos Menndez (D-San Antonio) while filing House Bill 896 to ensure more funds are directed to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department from the Sporting Good Sales Tax.
The Sporting Good Sales Tax was established in 1993 as a dedicated revenue source for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. However under current budgeting practices less than half of the money earned from the Sporting Good Sales Tax goes to fund state parks and other outdoor recreational activities.
$250 million was collected from the Sporting Good Sales Tax this biennium but only $26 million was allocated. These funds will be applied to personnel costs and other programs which derive funding from the Sporting Good Sales Tax.
The misdirection of the Sporting Good Sales Tax has put a growing number of state parks and other outdoor programs at risk. House Bill 896 is a first step in halting the misappropriation of taxpayer money by allocating at least $7.6 million more from the Sporting Good Sales Tax to fund Texas Parks and Wildlife.
