2017 Missouri legislative session: Bills could weaken our State Parks system and even stop the Rock Island Trail; Capitol Day Apr 10th

Several bills have been introduced in the 2017 Missouri legislature that will, if passed, dramatically affect our Missouri State Parks system. Our primary concern is HB 698.  If passed, HB 698 could derail progress on Rock Island Trail State Park.

Missouri's Rock Island Trail: Work on Section 1 is underway - Section 2 is open - Section 3 needs your support now - join us for Capitol Day April 10th and/or contact your own Legislators

Bicycle & Pedestrian Day at the Capitol is Monday, April 10th, 2017. HB 698 is just one of the bills that we will be discussing with legislators this year. Please plan to join us April 10th and help educate or legislators on these important issues!

Susan Flader of the Missouri Parks Association outlines the situation cat the Capitol this year:

Only months after Missourians gave a resounding 80 percent “yes” vote to renewal of the Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax with majorities in every county in the state — and during the centennial year of our award-winning state park system — some legislators are still trying to hobble park managers.

Missouri residents who love their parks need to tell their senators and representatives to stop the attack.

State parks are more popular than ever, and they pack an amazing economic punch, largely in rural communities. A 2012 study found that nearly 18 million park visitors generated more than $1.2 billion in sales, $123 million in taxes, and 14,535 jobs. For every dollar in state funds invested, the economic return was $26. Last year’s 21 million visitors would have had an even greater impact.

Yet, last year, there were a dozen bills introduced to force the sale of new parks, unduly constrain the acquisition of new parkland or otherwise hamstring the system. Fortunately, none passed. This year, there are two dozen such bills, seven by Rep. Robert Ross, R-Houston, alone. . . .

Other bills would remove the state park property tax exemption (e.g., Ross’s HJR26); prevent any land acquisition, even by donation, until the entire backlog of infrastructure rehabilitation is completed (Pietzman, HB698); or require public notice and hearings on any proposed land acquisition (Cunningham, SB35), a breach of the rights of private landowners and a constraint to often-complex transactions.

Please join us at Capitol Day April 10th--we need voices from regular citizens like you, to help educate our elected officials about these issues.

If you can't join us April 10th in Jefferson City, please take a moment to contact your own Missouri State legislators to let them know that you support the Rock Island Trail State Park. 

Your support will make a real difference!

More about Missouri's new internationally significant Rock Island Trail State Park here.

Building a world class bicycle and pedestrian transportation network across Missouri is one of the primary goals of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri. Working for the completion of significant statewide trails projects like the Rock Island Trail State Park is an important part of reaching that goal.

Your ongoing membership and generous financial support help turn our Vision into reality!