State parks pawn in budget debate
Published: May 24, 2009
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share thisHARRISBURG - Pennsylvania state parks are in a familiar predicament these days as potential pawns in the struggle over the state budget.
Superintendents have been planning to stretch out maintenance work and perhaps close little-used sections at some parks since Gov. Ed Rendell proposed a $7 million cut for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in his budget in February.
Now, the Rendell administration is raising alarm over a $19 million cut for the agency contained in a budget bill approved by the Senate Republican majority earlier this month.
Wider impact
If enacted, the budget would require the closing of at least 35 of the 117 state parks and 1,000 miles of state forest roads, said acting DCNR Secretary John Quigley. He said that action would bring an economic toll, with fewer visitors to spend money on products and services in nearby towns.
The Senate-passed budget bill is an early salvo in the debate leading up to the budget-passage deadline of June 30. The bill appropriates $27.3 billion, less than current spending levels, in order to close a $3 billion revenue deficit. The Rendell administration and House Democratic lawmakers are critical of the bill.
Claim is questioned
Sen. Mary Jo White, R-21, Oil City, chairwoman of the Senate Environmental and Resources Committee, is trying to call Mr. Quigley's bluff. She publicly asked him to identify which parks are slated for closing if the Senate bill is enacted and what criteria would be used. Ms. White asked if $7 million earmarked under a separate fund to help build a state-run carbon sequestration network could be used to restore the cuts.
Mr. Quigley will face those questions when he appears before the Senate committee for a confirmation hearing, said Patrick Henderson, the Senate committee director.
Mr. Quigley was nominated as DCNR secretary by the governor in April. He has spent four years with the agency in executive positions. Before that, he worked for the PennFuture environmental organization and served as mayor of Hazleton.
DCNR plans a response to Ms. White's questions.
"We are working on preparing a list," said agency spokeswoman Christina Novak.
Assessing costs
Keeping a state park open requires a large staff, she added. The agency came up with the 35-park estimate by calculating the money available for salaries if the Senate cuts are enacted.
Any parks targeted for closing are likely to be day-use parks featuring swimming and fishing, rather than tourist destination parks such as Hickory Run in Carbon County, said Ms. Novak.
The closing issue looms as DCNR officials reaffirm one controversial service cut implemented last year. They will provide lifeguards at beaches at only two state parks - Presque Isle on Lake Erie and Pine Grove Furnace in Cumberland County, which has swimming in an old quarry.
While a House bill by Rep. Sue Helm, R-Dauphin County, would mandate lifeguards at all state-run public swimming areas, Ms. Novak said the safety record at areas with lifeguards didn't vary that much from areas without lifeguards.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com
2 posted comments
Pretty much a complete 180 degree policy change. Do our current leaders have no shame?