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January 2008 – 2008 State Park Funding Point Sheet (doc, html)
January 2008 - 2008 Talking Points re: Rebenchmarking (doc, html)
January
7, 2008
To All
VAFP Members:
I hope
that you each had great holidays and will have a wonderful 2008!
As
usual, the beginning of the new year is heralded by the beginning of the
General Assembly session. And, as usual, we need to focus on the Park
System budget as it makes its way through the legislative process.
Let me
quickly set the stage for you. The Governor has submitted a biennial budget
(FY-2009 and FY-2010) to the General Assembly. Regarding the Park System,
the Governor's budget proposes FY-2009 capital construction funds totaling
$7.5 million to begin construction on two new state parks --High
Bridge Trail ($4.5 million) and Powhatan ($3 million).
Next comes the issue of funding for operations and
maintenance of the 34 existing state parks. As context, I'm sure that
you're aware that the Governor imposed a 5 percent budget cut for
FY-2008, a part of which included delaying the pay raise for all state
employees until July 2009. The park
system met the remainder of the cut primarily by raising
user fees and not filling some authorized positions.
For
FY-2009 (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009), the Governor's budget does not
provide additional funding nor additional
positions for operations and maintenance. Thus, the effect of the cut
imposed for FY-2008 is in essence carried forward to also be effective in
FY-2009.
For
FY-2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30 2010), the Governor's budget provides for
an increase of $1.5 million for operations and maintenance along with 15
new positions.
How much
is actually needed to complete the re-benchmarking effort so that the Park
System can operate and maintain the existing 34 parks at the level that can
be reasonably expected by the taxpayers/park system users? VAFP's position is that a general fund
appropriation(s) totaling $10 million is needed along with an increase of
117 authorized positions to complete the re-benchmarking initiative.
Attached
are two sets of talking points that explain VAFP's
position regarding Park System operations and maintenance funding and the
related re-benchmarking initiative. One set of points
deals with what's needed in the way of numbers. The other set of talking
points sets forth the details underpinning the rationale VAFP
used in establishing our position on the
respective numbers of dollars and authorized positions needed.
Please
take a look at the two attachments, use them in contacting your elected
representatives, and share them with your extended families,
neighbors, friends, and other members of your "Friends
Group".
Suffice
it to say that VAFP will be seeking budget amendments for both FY-2009 and
FY-2010. Also, we are again this year sponsoring a legislative bill to
include State Park System Law Enforcement Officers in the Virginia Law
Officer Retirement System (VaLORS). Senator Creigh Deeds has graciously agreed to be our patron for
this bill and it is presently being drafted. I'll provide you with the bill
number once its available.
As in
previous years, I'll keep you apprised with periodic updates as the
Assembly session unfolds, let you know when critical votes are
scheduled, and give you the contact information for the
Committee/Subcommittee members who need to hear from the park system
constituency in advance of those votes.
In the
meantime, it's both appropriate and essential for you to begin educating
your elected representatives on the Park System's funding needs. If you
have questions or need other information, please let me know.
Thanks
as always for your continuing support of Virginia's State Park System -- the most
frugally funded Park System among all of the States, ranking
dead last in proportion of state budget dedicated to parks......Johnny
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