Fully realizing the deficit-plagued state of Minnesota can’t operate in a business-as-usual mode, we were disheartened to see legislation advance which could place up to 10 state parks in mothballs until state finances improve.
The majority of Minnesota’s state parks are popular, inexpensive family destinations which encourage in-state tourism and productive use of our natural resources. Sites such as Crow Wing State Park and the Lindbergh State Park are an important draw which bring tourists to the nearby cities of Brainerd and Little Falls.
It would seem that as long as no major renovation projects are started at state parks, they could remain open with reduced services and perhaps increased user fees without making much of a dent in the state budget.
We don’t envy DNR officials and state lawmakers who will decide which parks and how many might have to be cut. DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr pointed out the parks range in annual operating costs from $30,000 to $1.5 million. He said closing the expensive Tower-Soudan Underground Mine and Itasca State Park would take care of the cuts or the state could close 10 smaller parks.
Choosing either of those options is guaranteed to result in turning many Minnesotans into unhappy campers.
Comments (18)
Add commentThe last time I saw the state
The last time I saw the state parks used as pawns was when northern DFL'ers like Tom Bakk, David Dill, Tom Saxhaug, Rod Skoe and others teamed up with metro GOP like Tom Hackbarth to shut down ALL state parks until the legislature overturned existing ATV regulation.
The law they wanted reversed protected 74% of our state forests from unregulated ATV use. Now it's just a free-for-all.
unreasonable targeting
closing parks is not a viable solution, closing budget loopholes, tax breaks for the wealthy, refunds for green energy purchases should be cut(these only benifit those wealthy enough to buy electric cars or solar panels to begin with) or overfunding problems. reverse funding is a growing concern as people find out that the push for greener choices also show signs that most of it is just a scam. theres also budget cuts for corporate subsidies, administrative compensation, foreign charity, continuing to pay senators and governors that no longer sit on a public seat and the income they recieve could be lower. there is so much wasted money that could be returned to the budget and taxes could be lower if there was a reality check within govt one that holds accountability at the top of the list of concerns....
Blind leading the Blind
If the BDD is referencing MN H.F 1010, there is absolutly nowhere in that bill that states anything about state parks being closed. The 10 park closure ploy is simply a DFL talking point being parrotted by the media. By the way Fish, Hackbarth also introduced an ammendment to this bill which prohibited the closing of any state park. It passed 128-0. How come the BDD didn't mention that? The fact is, that H.F. 1010 it is merely an appropriation bill setting forth the funding for the DNR. Which means the DNR commissioner will have to set priorities based on the funding. I understand why Fish would fall for this hook, line and sinker. I also understand how he quickly capitulates to every thing he reads, but why would the BDD feel compelled to lead the readers astray without stating the facts? BDD, if you're so confident with your analysis, why don't you mention the House or Senate bill # for your readers to look for themselves? Here's the bill; look for yourself. The fact is BDD, you repeated nearly word-for-word an MPR piece written about a week or so ago. If I have the wrong bill, please point your readers in the direction of the bill to which you speak?
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/getbill.php?number=HF1010&session=ls87&ve...
what a crock
get rid of a bunch of the office paperpushers that are NOT needed! look at the DOT blding in baxter-full of paperpushers who have never fixed a pthole-same in dnr office blding! look at the state dept of health (centennial office blding-floors of paperpushers-NOT all are needed!
From Moonhawk: "get rid of a
From Moonhawk:
"get rid of a bunch of the office paperpushers that are NOT needed! look at the DOT blding in baxter-full of paperpushers who have never fixed a pthole-same in dnr office blding! "
Your level of ignorance is simply amazing . . . . . . . .can you give me your link to the streaming video of Baxter MnDOT or MN DNR paper pushers? This I have to see!
Aww . . . ..
I love you, too, Barnet.
more of that compassionate
more of that compassionate conservatism at work. Mix it with a bit of anger, a dash of ignorance, and a grocery aisle worth of jealousy, we have a very volatile, unstable result.
Good night everybody! Time for another refreshing bike ride to enjoy those free trails that another enlightened poster was complaining about.
yet another example of
yet another example of compassionate conservatism in using the old standby "Commie" line. How original. At this rate of proving my point, I'd love to see your Trickle Down Economics at work! (no cheating: you can't pee on the middle class ala Reagan and call it 'Trickle' - I don't know if God would appove)
The 1950's called. They want their scare tactic back. For goodness sake, "Commie?" Hasn't that term reached the point of overuse and meaninglessness nearly as much as comparing someone to Hitler?
I mean, here I was, getting fresh air and all, only to come back to the same old stagnent, depressing atmosphere. Better make a night run for my own health.
And, byt he way, I don;t kick dogs, as even old dogs learn new tricks. Can't really say the same for the whiny regulars on this site. Remember to share the road fellas!
Sleeping Beauty:
When did I whine about the trails? Just so you know, the trails are in great shape!
BTW, I'm assuming, then, that you don't use the area lakes which are managed with tax dollars. I'm also assuming, then, that you will never go to the new Vikings Stadium or Twins stadium, either. And if you have kids who you took to a city park for an Easter Egg hunt, that would be off limits, too. Of course, the fireworks at the HS field would be off limits to your principles, right? Good for you for being self sufficient.
license fees for fireworks?
license fees for fireworks? for Easter Egg hunts? Use of a city park?
Do you think your boat and/or fishing licenses entirely pay for lakes management?
What about expenses paid to have emergency vehicles in a parade? Did you pay the Parade Route Curb Squatter Fee?
As for your comment about bike fees, I'm not opposed to charging a small user fee to use state trails. There was a proposal in the legislature to charge $10/year for bicycle trail licenses, which I support. I guess you can say I'm willing to do "my fair share", to use your words.
Sleepr
What?! You don't use our lakes, go to the fireworks, or use a city park?
They actually make the cold 7 months of the year worth suffering through. Sleepr, maybe you should go on a bike ride with me. I'll act as a tour guide so you can see some of the natural charms of the area. All for free of course . . .just call it paying my fair share. :)