Articles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press contacts:

Ian Davis, Keep Texas Parks Open, ian@keeptexasparksopen.com, 512-466-6939

David Hill, Hill Research Consultants, dhill@hillresearch.com

Poll: Texans support state parks and don’t want state parks funding diverted

PowerPoint slides on poll results are available for download here
or at www.hillresearch.com

AUSTIN, TX (Feb. 6, 2013) – An overwhelming majority of Texans support full funding for state parks and are frustrated that parks funding gets diverted away from its intended purpose, according to a new statewide public opinion survey released today by the Keep Texas Parks Open campaign. The poll conducted in January 2013 by Hill Research Consultants found that four out of five Texans support funding state parks even during tough economic times, and three out of four support using the Sporting Goods Sales Tax as a reliable funding mechanism for parks.

Pollster David Hill, who has conducted similar statewide surveys in the past regarding parks funding, commented, “It’s striking that support for parks remains strong during good times and bad. Despite our recent economic slump, the poll results actually indicate a slight uptick in parks support.”

Some key findings of the poll include:

• 87 percent- See parks as especially important even in tough economic times.
• 85 percent – Acknowledge a need to protect our natural areas.
• 84 percent – See state parks as essential to healthy active lifestyles.

The use of the existing Sporting Good Sales Tax (SGST) to fund our state parks enjoyed broad-based support from a significant majority of Texans with 76 percent of voters surveyed saying that they support using revenue from the SGST tax for acquiring, maintaining and operating state and local parks.

In fact, 69 percent of those surveyed said they would vote yes for a state constitutional amendment permanently dedicating sporting goods tax revenues to sufficient parks funding.

Keep Texas Parks Open Director Ian Davis commented, “Texans were promised that the Sporting Goods Sales Tax would fund state parks. Instead of diverting three-quarters of parks funding away from our natural spaces, the public wants to keep our promise to parks and use the Sporting Goods Sales Tax for its intended purpose.”

The SGST, a small portion of the sales tax on outdoor recreation and fitness equipment, was instituted by the Texas Legislature in 1993 as a way to pay for parks and parks programs. During the last legislative session, only $52 million of $250 million in sporting goods sales tax revenue was allocated to Texas state parks.  The Texas Comptroller has estimated that the Sporting Goods Sales Tax will generate $268 million dollars in revenue over the 2014-2015 biennium.

“The biggest challenge is that most people aren’t aware of the SGST, so it’s easy for legislators to divert those funds without incurring much of a political consequence. Only 23 percent of Texans said they were familiar with the Sporting Goods Sales Tax, which has remained stable over the past four years,” said Davis. “That’s why a primary goal of the Keep Texas Parks Open campaign is to educate citizens that the sporting goods sales tax exists, and that it’s a viable way to fund our parks.”

Eight million people visit Texas state parks every year. Beyond the benefits to quality of life, water quality and habitat protection, parks also provide a significant economic boost.  An extensive 80-park study conducted by Texas A&M University concluded that parks generate $800 million in sales annually and account for 12,000 jobs.

“Investing in our state parks is smart public policy that delivers real benefits for our economy, jobs and our quality of life,” said Davis. “Parks provide a tremendous economic boost to state and local economies, and with our current budget surplus, it doesn’t make sense to close parks.”

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Keep Texas Parks Open is a campaign that educates Texans on adequately funding state parks through use of the Sporting Goods Sales Tax.

Find us online at http://www.facebook.com/KeepTexasParksOpen.

AUSTIN, TX (Dec. 3, 2012)—The Texas League of Conservation Voters Educational Fund (TLCV-EF) today announced it has received a $50,000 grant from The Meadows Foundation to support a TLCV-EF educational campaign in support of Texas’ parks system.   TLCV-EF’s statewide campaign will work to educate citizens across Texas about the crisis facing our parks system and promote positive, viable policy solutions.

“During the last legislative session, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department budget was cut by nearly 28 percent, forcing Texas parks to eliminate popular programs and lay off nearly 170 employees,” said TLCV-EF Executive Director David Weinberg.  “If funding is not increased, the Parks Department anticipates closure of up to 20 state parks and one regional office.”

“With the generous support of The Meadows Foundation, we will be able to drive early momentum in our effort to educate our Texans about the importance of adequately funding our parks system and viable solutions to meet the needs of our state parks and natural spaces,” Weinberg added.

Since 1999, TLCV-EF has worked diligently to educate Texans on and advocate for clean air, clean water, renewable energy and the protection of parks, opens spaces, and wildlife habitat.

The TLCV-EF parks campaign seeks to educate the public about the implications of the 2012-2013 budget shortfall, its impact on our parks system and smart public policy solutions that can help solve the crisis.

The Sporting Goods Sales Tax is one way to pay for our state parks and parks programs. Approved by the Texas Legislature in 1993, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax represents a small portion of the sales tax on outdoor recreation and fitness equipment.  TLCV-EF pointed to the fact that during the last legislative session, only $52 million of the $250 million in sporting goods sales tax revenue was allocated to our state parks.  The campaign will focus educating Texans about use of the Sporting Goods Sales Tax to fund the state parks system.

“The Meadows Foundation $50,000 grant is a terrific start to helping us work to protect our 93 state parks for Texans and our visitors,” Weinberg said.  “We appreciate their generous support and look forward to a successful partnership.”

Since its inception, The Meadows Foundation has disbursed in excess of $760 million in grants and direct charitable expenditures to more than 3,000 Texas institutions and agencies.  Founded in 1948 by Algur H. and Virginia Meadows, The Foundation looks for programs and services that employ imaginative, innovative ways to solve community problems.

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The Texas League of Conservation Voters Educational Fund is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that educates Texans on and advocates for clean air, clean water, renewable energy and the protection of parks, opens spaces, and wildlife habitat..  Find us online at http://www.tlcvef.org and follow us on Twitter @tlcvef.

Media contact: David Weinberg, (512) 477-4424

By John Mangalonzo
Scripps Texas Newspapers
October 8

ABILENE — The lingering question of whether Congress will allow the federal wind-energy Production Tax Credit to expire at the end of the year or vote to extend it is raising the anxiety level among those in the industry.

Texas leads the nation in wind energy, which generated about 8.5 percent of the state’s electricity last year, employing about 9,000 people.

Many other businesses benefit, too, including truckers, hotels, restaurants and hardware stores.

And on a larger scale, 60 percent of a wind turbine’s value is now produced in the United States, up from 25 percent in 2005.

The Production Tax Credit provides an income tax credit of 2.2 cents per kilowatt-hour for the production of electricity from utility-scale wind turbines. The industry relies on the credit to keep wind energy cost-competitive with fossil fuels while the companies grow, technology improves and wind gains a foothold in electricity production.

The tax credit amounts to about $1 billion. In the past five years, the industry brought in as much as $20 billion in private investment to the U.S. According to the Congressional Research Service, the wind energy tax credit cost taxpayers $1.6 billion this year.

If the tax credit expires Dec. 31, the industry will still have the support for 10 years. Companies are eligible to claim the credit for 10 years after project completion, meaning previously constructed wind turbines will continue to receive the subsidy.

Those involved locally in the wind industry question the rationale behind some

Texas congressmen’s opposition to the tax credit. Some Republicans, who have expressed concern about the industry being a major economic driver in the region, noted they will champion a gradual phaseout of the credit as opposed to an immediate cutoff.

AN INDUSTRY CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE

Uncertainty over whether Congress will renew the tax credit has led some companies to lay off employees. Siemens and Vestas, the world’s largest turbine manufacturer, with operations in Colorado and Texas, recently laid off 1,400 workers globally on top of 2,300 layoffs announced earlier this year.

“It will stall progress” if the credit is not extended, said Jay Martin, a project engineer for Signal Energy. “It would be a stumbling block for the industry. It wouldn’t stop it completely; it would lag it.”

The disagreement seems to have become so political that the industry is caught in the middle, Martin said.

“I wish our members of Congress, who allegedly were elected in Texas, would work for Texas,” said Greg Wortham, executive director of the Texas Wind Energy Clearinghouse information exchange. “I can walk and chew gum at the same time: I’m for oil, I’m for nuclear and for natural gas, I’m for the cleanest coal plants in the world, and I’m for wind and solar, and the people we elected can’t seem to do that.”

Wortham said the first phase of the aftermath of a nonextension has already begun.

“The turbines are staying, the wind service jobs are staying, but people all over the United States, including Texas, tens of thousands of other (wind energy-related) jobs are being lost,” Wortham said. “Everyone who manufactures something; everyone who transports something and anybody who constructs something are subject to 100 percent layoff.”

At its peak in 2008 and ’09, the wind industry employed about 85,000 people, according to the American Wind Energy Association, the industry’s principal trade group.

A recent report by Naviant Consulting indicated 37,000 jobs will be lost and private investment in the industry will drop nearly two-thirds should Congress allow the credit to expire. The job losses will accelerate with each month the credit nears the expiration date.

Wortham speculates opposition from Republican lawmakers is mainly a polarity issue: “The president is for it, so they are against it.

“Legislators should see that the wind energy industry is creating new schools, it’s creating double-income jobs, and it has created a whole new sector in the region,” Wortham continued. “It’s just irresponsible.”

Wortham said he has met with Texas lawmakers, and he has repeatedly raised the issue. He noted “it’s pointless” because “the best that (U.S. Rep.) Randy Neugebauer could come up with was he was undecided about wind energy.”

“He has always been against it,” Wortham said. “You can’t be in this region and be a public official and be against this.”

LAWMAKERS EXPLAIN POSITIONS

Neugebauer says he is still studying the different proposals.

“Wind energy is a major economic driver in West Texas, and I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that promises job creation, boosts our economy and ensure access to affordable American-made energy,” said Neugebauer, a Republican whose district include Abilene.

However, Neugebauer noted, “It’s not yet clear what final package of tax extenders we will vote on, so I’m still reviewing all the information about the many different proposals to extend the wind production tax credit.

“My goal is to reduce regulation on all energy resources, and to make sure we don’t pick winners and losers in the market.”

Neugebauer has not firmly said he is against extending the tax credit and has only voted against permanent extensions. According to House records, the congressman has supported short-term extensions in the past.

This time around, Neugebauer said, he will look at the proposals and act on its individual merits.

Rep. Mike Conaway, a Republican whose district includes Sweetwater, San Angelo and Brownwood, said he favors a gradual reduction as opposed to a cutoff.

“As representative of one of the most prolific wind energy producing districts in the nation and as the representative of thousands of families whose lives are directly tied to wind manufacturing, I understand how important the Production Tax Credit was to developing and expanding this industry,” Conaway said. “I do not favor an immediate repeal of the PTC, but rather a planned gradual phaseout of the credit that would provide current employees, manufacturers and developers with a road map for the future and long-term certainty they can count on.”

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, voted in the Senate Finance Committee in August against a bill containing a one-year extension. However, he said he would back a one-year extension if the tax benefits were reduced by 20 percent.

The committee has approved the one-year extension by a 19-5 vote, but it has not come up for a vote on the Senate floor.

But as December draws closer, patience is running thin in the industry.

“If our (lawmakers) who live in this district, who travel in this district, who pretend to talk to people in this district can’t see the value of this and don’t have the guts to tell Washington what to do instead of listening to Washington, then there is no point in doing anything,” Wortham said. “If they can’t figure that out, we can’t convince them.”

© 2012 San Angelo Standard Times. All rights reserved.

October 4, 2012

California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and Tulchin Research Release Results of New Statewide Poll on California Latino Voters’ Environmental Values

LOS ANGELES & OAKLAND, Calif. (October 4, 2012) – Today the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund released the results of a new poll of California Latino voters on their environmental values, which found that two-thirds of Latino voters identify as conservationists and overwhelmingly believe we can “protect the environment and create jobs at the same time.” The statewide survey found Latino voters support “conservation” on a range of issues, believe we can simultaneously protect the environment and create jobs, and personally identify with conservation as a value.

“This new data leaves no doubt that Latino voters are a core constituency for the conservation and environmental movement here in California,” said Sarah Rose, CEO of CLCV Education Fund. “The results will help advocates for the environment and Latino communities more effectively communicate with voters and encourage better environmental leadership from elected leaders who represent this important and growing segment of the electorate.”

CLCV Education Fund will hold a series of public forums in Oakland (October 4), Fresno (October 10), Los Angeles (October 17) and San Diego (October 24) with regional leaders to discuss the results of the poll and next steps.

The full press release can be found here.

Our democracy is nothing without active participation from its citizens.

That’s why our friends at the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund are dropping 1 million voter registration applications to unregistered voters in 21 states, including more than 68,000 in Texas.  Many times people move within a state or into a new state unaware of the need or process for registering to vote.

The LCVEF effort is a part of a larger, nationwide initiative undertaken by the Voter Participation Center and its non-profit, non-partisan partners.   It’s a comprehensive, thoughtful initiative that works to ensure all applicable state voter registration and election laws are followed.

We also know that efforts like this voter registration drive really work.

Non-partisan voter registration drives like the one LCVEF is undertaking are highly effective.  Analysis by the Voter Participation Center shows that in 2008, 93.9 percent of the people contacted made it to their state’s voter registration rolls and, in turn, 77 percent voted.  In 2010, 93.9 percent of the applicants who responded made it onto their own state’s voter rolls. ‘

To learn more about the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and its civic engagement efforts, visit www.lcvef.org.

To register to vote in Texas and learn about early voting, polling places, what’s on the ballot and election deadlines, visit www.votetexas.gov.

To say the state of Texas was on fire less than a year ago is hardly hyperbole when you consider the millions of acres and thousands of wildfires that ravaged our state.  Perhaps hardest hit of all were some of Texas’ state parks, including Bastrop State Park.

Last year’s Labor Day wildfires in Central Texas burned 96 percent of the 6,500 acre park that many Texas families have enjoyed for generations.   That physical devastation is compounded by a $4.6 million dollar hole in the state park system’s budget that resulted in an unprecedented public appeal for financial support.

Here’s one simple way you can help and show your support for Bastrop State Park.

Vote now and vote often in Coca-Cola’s national “America is Your Park” promotion.

Cast your vote online (and do so often, as many times as you like), connect on Facebook, and if you use Foursquare, be sure to check in at Bastrop State Park to earn 100 votes for this Texas Treasure.

By doing so you can help put the park in contention for a $100,000 grant, allowing for continued restoration of this iconic state park and of the greater Lost Pines ecosystem.  Funds would be used to expand a contract with American YouthWorks for project work including clearing downed tress, restoring park trails and constructing hand-hewn pine lag bridges.

But hurry, the deadline for this America is Your Park contest ends July 15, 2012.

Let’s show our support for the parks and open spaces that make the Lone Star State great.

Sincerely,
David Weinberg
Texas League of Conservation Voters – Educational Fund

TLCV / TLCV-EF is pleased to be a part of this year’s Earth Day Dallas event.  If you live in or near the Metroplex, we invite you to join us April 21-22, 2012 at Fair Park.  A full schedule of events, speakers, activites and exhibitors is online.

Also, join us on Facebook for photos, news and information on future events.

Whether you live in Travis County or across the state of Texas, there are plenty of reasons to go cast your vote in the November election.

If you live in Travis County, do the Texas Two Step and boot scoot on over to vote early and in support of two key county conservation propositions.  Then, take the time to cast a yes vote on Proposition 8 on the Texas Constitutional Amendment ballot.

Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 4, 2011.  Election Day is Nov. 8, 2011.

Texas Two Step – Travis County Propositions 1 and 2 (TLCVEF recommends yes votes on both propositions.)

Travis County bond propositions 1 and 2 offer environmental and transportation benefits for Travis County residents. A vote yes on these two propositions would reduce traffic, improve mobility and safety while protecting our drinking water, preserving water quality and protecting working farms, ranches and locally grown food sources.

Proposition 1 is for safety improvements on roadways and bridges, flood prevention, safer routes to schools, and sidewalks. ($132,840,000)

Proposition 2 is for land conservation efforts, improved and increased parklands, and protection of our water quality and water supply. ($82,105,000)

These two bond projects are located throughout unincorporated areas of Travis County, and they support existing long-term plans for sustainable growth in the region.  Both Propositions 1 and 2 are endorsed by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce as well as a diverse and broad based collection of political, conservation and community groups and leaders.

Visit the Travis County Clerk’s website for a full list of early voting locations, mobile voting units and election day precinct polling locations.

Texas’ constitutional amendment elections don’t always grab the headlines, but this year’s election is one that includes “a must vote yes” proposition.

Proposition 8 – Water Stewardship Amendment (TLCVEF recommends a YES vote.)

Access to a clean, reliable water supply is critical to every Texas family, business and community. How we ensure Texans are prepared to meet future water needs is a critical public policy concern. The Water Stewardship Amendment (Proposition 8 on the Nov. 8 ballot) will help Texas:

• Secure a reliable supply of water for our children and grandchildren
• Protect water quality in our streams, rivers and aquifers
• Increase our water supply, which will help keep water rates affordable
• Enhance water conservation by encouraging more efficient water usage

Proposition 8 was passed unanimously by the Texas Legislature and had the support of both Republicans and Democrats.  It’s bipartisan and enjoys broad based support from Texans statewide, including farmers, ranchers, landowners, taxpayers’ organizations and conservation groups like TLCVEF.

Learn more about Proposition 8 and read endorsements from the state’s major daily newspapers online here and watch “Kink in the Hose” by clicking on the video screenshot above.

Vote Early, Vote Yes

Early voting begins today, Monday, Oct. 24 and runs through Friday, Nov. 4, 2011.  Visit the Texas Secretary of State’s Office Votexas website for more details and links to early voting locations across the state, ballot by mail deadlines and a complete look at what’s on the ballot for the Nov. 8, 2011 Constitutional Amendment election.

Texas Latinos face greater health risks from pollution-related diseases, study finds