The gist
Proposition 14, from Senate Joint Resolution 74, would create the Texas Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. The fund would be overseen by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and would be used for the creation of new parks and the improvement of current state parks.
The $1 billion will be funded from the state’s budget surplus, and would be the largest investment in Texas history toward natural land, said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas.
Diving in deeper
Around 10 million people a year visit Texas parks, but the state ranks 35th in the nation in park acreage per capita.
“Our population is booming, and already our existing state parks are sometimes bursting at the seams; they can't keep up with the demand,” Metzger said.
The Texas Coalition of State Parks, consisting of about 90 organizations, is in support of the proposition, citing that investing in Texas parks helps conserve land and water. The coalition held an event at Pease Park on Oct. 17 to discuss the ballot item.
“This $1 billion investment in our quality of life is absolutely crucial,” Sen. Sarah Eckhardt said Oct. 17. “ I know [this] sounds like a big number, but it's actually only maybe 3% of our current state surplus in one time dollars that will assure a future of fabulous parks.”
What’s next
Early in-person voting begins Oct. 23 and ends Nov. 3. Election Day is Nov. 7. For more information, Texans can visit www.votetexas.gov.
