Missouri’s state parks are in line for a $20 million transfusion to fix a significant environmental problem.
The state parks system gets about $80-million dollars a year from a special sales tax first approved by voters in 1984. The tax provides about three-fourths of the parks systems’ budget with the rest in federal funds or fees generated for use of the parks. But for several years, especially during the recession, a major issue has developed and has not been dealt with.
Senate appropriations chairman Kurt Schaefer says $20 million will take care of substantial sewer issues that have caught the eye of the federal government..
AUDIO: Schaefer :20
But Senator Ryan Silvey of Kansas City objects, saying the parks division should pay for the improvements out of its own funding.
AUDIO: Silvey :19
The legislature, however, has approved the $20 million as part of a special capital improvements budget bill totaling more than $120-million dollars. Schaefer says the governor already has agreed to most of the items in the bill.
