What a Difference a Year Makes

Governor Paterson’s Proposed FY 2009-2010 Budget is No Walk in the Park
Citing the state’s continuing fiscal crisis, a projected budget shortfall of $1.7 billion for the current fiscal year and $13.7 billion for fiscal year 2009-2010, the Governor introduced, a month earlier than usual, a scaled down budget for the Office of State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).

In addition to reducing the amount of funding available for parks capital projects, the agency’s operating budget has been reduced.  The proposed budget also calls for fee increases at some OPRHP operated facilities.

Parks Capital Budget is a Disappointment - Parks Revitalization to Suffer
Last year, in response to Parks & Trails New York’s landmark Parks at a Turning Point report and our Campaign for Parks advocacy on the capital needs of the state park system, total capital spending for state parks was raised to $132 million, including $75.5 million in bonded monies. This was the largest infusion of capital in the history of OPRHP.  

The proposed capital budget for fiscal year 2009-2010, from all sources of funding, is approximately $65 million.  This figure includes $19 million from the State Lands Stewardship account of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) which will likely be the subject of considerable negotiation as the budget process moves forward.

Given the challenging economic times, it comes as no surprise that Governor Paterson’s proposed budget does not include a second installment of capital funding for parks at the historic level we saw in this year’s budget.  We believe, however, that cutting OPRHP’s capital funding at this time is moving in the wrong direction. 

The revitalization of our state park system is stimulating the economy and creating jobs, many times in parts of the state that have few other economic drivers.  However, the proposed funding for next year is about half of what was provided in fiscal year 2008-2009. This reduction in funding will add years until the $650 million backlog of parks projects, a sad legacy of underinvestment, can be eliminated.  As the budget process moves forward, Parks & Trails New York will be fighting for increased capital funding for OPRHP.

Not counted in OPRHP’s total capital funds are any monies New York may receive for investment in parks infrastructure as part of a federal economic stimulus program.  Parks & Trails New York is fighting hard to make sure that park and trail projects are part of any economic stimulus program.  We have sent a letter to all members of the New York Congressional Delegation, urging them to work with the new administration to secure funding for parks infrastructure projects and recently contributed an op ed on the issue which was published in the Albany Times Union.   Any federal monies received would be added to the proposed $65 million in capital funds and would likely be used for improvements to park roads and bridges, and water and sewer infrastructure.

Parks Operating Budget Takes a Hit
The proposed operating budget for OPRHP is $227 million, $139.6 million of which comes from the state’s general fund.  This figure is based on the agency’s budget for this fiscal year after cuts totaling more than 10 percent were taken this year.   Consequently, OPRHP will be reducing the hours of operations, cutting services and reducing programming at selected parks and historic sites.  OPRHP will also be increasing the fees charged at OPRHP operated golf courses, marinas, campgrounds and for cabin rentals and the Empire Passport.  These fee increases are expected to bring in an additional $6.5 million in revenue for OPRHP operations. 

Once again, we believe the Governor’s budget reductions are a step in the wrong direction.  At a time when people will increasingly depend on recreational opportunities that are both close to home and affordable, state parks need to be fully funded and staffed.  With more than 55 million visitors each year our state parks are important components of the state’s economic engine. These visitors spend money not only within the confines of our state parks, but also in communities near our parks – they eat in restaurants, stay at local motels and shop near the parks.

Keep Parks Accessible to All
While Parks & Trails New York is disappointed that the state is proposing to raise some user fees, we believe it’s better to increase fees on marinas and golfing than on general admission.  In these tough times we need to make sure basic park services are accessible to all New Yorkers. 

 Staff Impacts Will Hurt Services
While the Governor’s proposed budget does not call for any layoffs of ORPHP staff, the “hard hiring freeze” currently in place will continue through next year and as a result the agency will lose an estimated 57 positions through attrition.  Additionally, the training program for new State Park Police officers previously scheduled for 2008 has been cancelled.  This means that OPRHP will not have the services of the thirty officers who would have graduated in May of 2009. Additionally, fewer seasonal employees will be hired, and the Governor’s budget eliminates the state’s Green Thumb program for senior citizens who were hired as seasonal employees.  These cuts at OPRHP are going to have serious impacts.  The agency is still suffering the effects of nearly two decades of staff shortages.

Environmental Protection Fund Reduced by 20% - Municipal Park Grant Program Slashed
The proposed Executive Budget includes $205 million in funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).  This is a reduction of $50 million from the$255 million in this year’s EPF and a far cry from the $300 million EPF that was statutorily set for fiscal year 2009-2010.  As mentioned above, $19 million from the State Land Stewardship account in the EPF is slated for OPRHP capital projects - a significant portion of the $65 million in total capital funds.  The proposed EPF reduces funding for municipal parks projects from $21.2 million to $8.4 million, and calls for a reduction from $6 million to $2 million in parks funding for inner city and underserved communities.   The proposed EPF entirely removes $9 million in funding for zoos, botanical gardens and aquaria.  By shifting the financial burden from the state to the municipalities, these proposed changes could be devastating to municipal parks projects.

In addition to drastic cuts in the EPF, the proposed budget seeks to change the source of EPF funding from the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) to the proceeds from the unclaimed beverage containers deposits that would escheat to the state as part of an expanded bottle bill.  It should be noted that the expanded bottle bill is also included in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-2010, and is, therefore, not a guaranteed source of funding for the EPF.
While Parks & Trails New York wholeheartedly supports the expansion of New York State’s bottle bill, we believe the proceeds from any unclaimed deposits that escheat to the state should be used to supplement, not supplant, the RETT as the primary source of funding for the EPF.

Unfortunately, once again, a capacity building grants program for park and trail Friends organizations was not included in the EPF.

Make Your Voice Heard - Participate in Park and Trail Advocacy Days in March
In this economic climate it’s going to be a challenge to keep even the reduced level of funding for parks and trail projects in the enacted state budget.

Please mark your calendar for two advocacy days in Albany:  Park Advocacy Day on March 3, 2009 and Trail Advocacy Day on March 11, 2009.  Check back in the coming weeks for more details.

In the meantime let your Senator and Assembly member know that funding for parks and trails projects, as well as a fully funded Environmental Protection Fund, are important to you.

29 Elk Street * Albany, NY 12207 * (ph) 518-434-1583 * (fax) 518-427-0067 * ptny@ptny.org