December 2024
Since its inception IPA has advocated for increases in funding for state parks and state owned nature preserves, to help reverse the effects of years of neglect. In recent years that message has been heard. Governor Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly have provided significant funding for deferred maintenance and other conservation needs. They have even funded a new inn at Potato Creek State Park.
We are now entering a new era of uncertainty over the future of our natural areas. A new governor will take office in January. While Governor-elect Braun appears to be a conservationist at heart, there is no question that he is also a fiscal conservative. It is unclear how these two philosophies will play off against each other.
State finances are tightening up. Revenue forecasts are down and federal funds provided to help the nation’s economy recover from the Covid pandemic are no longer available. In addition, state forecasters underestimated the costs of Medicaid in the current budget by $1 billion (no that is not a typo). That slashed the size of the state’s normally healthy budget surplus, and necessitated belt tightening in state agencies. While DNR (and other state agencies) are not on a hiring freeze, they are being required to be selective about what vacancies they can fill.
Usage of our state’s natural areas has never been higher. The Division of State Parks continues to set records for attendance and campground usage. There are still tremendous unmet deferred maintenance needs, not just on buildings and structures, but on trails as well. The cost of battling invasive species in our natural areas continues to rise. And on top of that that, the tornado destroyed campground at McCormick’s Creek State Park needs to be rebuilt, at an estimated cost of $27 million.
At the time I am writing this article, Governor Holcomb has released his proposed operating budget for the next biennium, but not his capital budget. The proposed operating budget is tight, with no increases from the current budget. Obviously Governor-elect Braun has not had a chance to weigh in on his priorities, and the legislature will have the final say on that budget.
That is where we need your help. Your contact with your legislator will have more impact on their actions than anything that we say to them. While many are cynical about the legislature, I still believe that most legislators legitimately try to represent their constituents, and support issues that they hear about from those in their district.
However, they need to hear from you, and your friends, that conservation, and support of our state parks and nature preserves is important. Without that, we have no real chance of continuing to make progress.
If you have contacted your legislator in the past, thank you. But please do so again. If you have not, now is the time to start.
To send emails to your legislator, go to IGA | Find Your Legislator. Enter your address and the web site will tell you who your legislators are. Just click on the one you want to contact, and follow the instructions. Even if you know who your legislator is, this is the simplest way to send them an email. (Of course, mailing an old fashioned letter is still acceptable.)