Governor Jan Brewer’s budget proposal includes $2 million dollars in restored funding for Arizona State Parks, but some advocates hope lawmakers don’t use the money for other programs.
Arizona’s 31 state parks have suffered cuts totaling more than $80 million dollars in recent years and currently the state provides no money for the parks from the general fund.
But, in her new budget Governor Brewer has proposed spending $2 million dollars for parks maintenance and operations.
Arizona State Parks Foundation Director Cristie Statler said the parks have about $200 million dollars in deferred needs but any amount of funding for the state park system is welcome.
“Two million dollars is not nearly enough to begin to address these issues but it beats nothing. It is a goodwill gesture and we hope to see that grow," Statler said.
With so many other state departments suffering deep cuts, Statler said she's worried state parks won’t get all of the $2 million dollars the governor has proposed.