by Ryan Autullo
May 17, 2023
Originally published in the Austin American-Statesman
Voters will decide in November whether to authorize the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to create additional trails, fishing holes and campsites in Texas, after the Legislature cleared the way to establish a $1 billion trust fund to acquire private land to develop into parks.
House members this week voted to authorize the election. On Monday, members passed Senate Joint Resolution 74 by a 123-21 vote — comfortably clearing the 100 votes required to pass a constitutional amendment. They followed Tuesday with a 120-19 vote in favor of the proposal’s enabling legislation, Senate Bill 1648.
The Senate passed both measures in April, and, since the governor cannot veto a proposed constitutional amendment, the fate of this massive parks investment lies squarely in the hands of the state’s 17 million registered voters.
“We are grateful that our legislature and state leadership recognize the value of state parks and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for the fast-growing population of Texans,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department executive director David Yoskowitz. “It is fitting that at a time when we celebrate and reflect on 100 years of Texas State Parks, we look to preserving our storied natural spaces for future generations.”
