Parks' budget issues loom
by Marsha Shuler - Advocate (excerpt)

In spite of budget cuts, Louisiana’s state parks will be open and welcoming visitors this summer although many are in need of repairs, the state park’s chief said Friday.

The list of deferred maintenance and improvement projects is getting longer because $7.6 million designated for the purpose is being diverted to pay for park operations, said Office of State Parks Assistant Secretary Stuart Johnson. There’s only $900,000 left and top priority will be projects addressing health and safety issues, he said.

Because of the situation, Johnson said the parks office will launch in the next three weeks a new fundraising foundation for state parks that can receive tax-deductible donations.