In 1990, after being approved by 66% of Arizona’s voters, the State Parks Heritage Fund was established. $10 million from State Lottery proceeds was dedicated to support our State Parks. These funds often functioned as seed money for matching grants, resulting in up to $20 million per year for our State Parks.
However, in response to the last economic downturn, in 2009 the legislature swept the State Parks allocation into the general fund, and eliminated the fund entirely in 2011. It was only through the extraordinary effort of our community that Red Rock State Park remained open.
In the last session of the Arizona legislature, the State Parks Heritage Fund was reestablished with the passing of Senate Bill 1241. While this was a crucial first step, currently the Heritage Fund is unfunded.
House Bill HB2551 and Senate Bill SB1350 have been introduced aimed at restoring the $10 million per year dedicated to support the park system.
The Arizona Heritage Alliance has created a summary of this legislation that you can read by CLICKING HERE.
Keep Sedona Beautiful urges you to contact your State legislators, asking them to support these bills. While many in the Verde Valley reside in Legislative District 6, you can validate by clicking here.
Legislative District 6 is represented in the State Legislature by one State Senator and by two State Representatives. We urge you to contact all three to express your support for funding the State Parks Heritage Fund via HB2551.
Sylvia Allen District 6 State Senator
Arizona State Senate Room 303 Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone 602-926-5409
Email: sallen@azleg.gov
Walt Blackman District 6 State Representative
Arizona State Senate Room 345 Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone: 602-926-3043
Email: wblackman@azleg.gov
Bob Thorpe District 6 State Representative
Arizona State Senate Room 130 Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone: 602-926-5219
Email: bthorpe@azleg.gov