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In this year's election, several Western states passed noteworthy public lands measures, primarily focusing on funding for local parks and trails. Voters in Phoenix overwhelmingly approved a $109 million bond for libraries, parks, and historic preservation. This bond will fund new facilities and various improvement projects across municipal parks and recreation sites. Similarly, voters in the city of Goodyear, Arizona approved a $17 million parks and recreation bond, which will be used to extend a pedestrian and bike trail system.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, 77 percent of voters approved nearly $35 million of bonds to public parks and facilities, bikeways, bosque areas, and trails. Of this funding, approximately $3.4 million is devoted to renovating leaky irrigation systems at city parks, promoting water conservation in the city. The remaining funds will be allocated towards the development and enhancement of park equipment, infrastructure, safety, and security, as well as public pool construction and improvement projects.
The most remarkable public lands outcome occurred in Texas, where 76 percent of voters approved Proposition 14, a constitutional amendment that establishes the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. This fund supports the acquisition, development, and maintenance of state parks. Texas legislators previously passed a bill to create the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, allocating $1 billion for the establishment of new state parks—the most substantial investment in Texas park history. By approving it as a constitutional amendment in Tuesday's election, Texas voters secured long-term stability for this funding, which derives from a state government surplus. With less than five percent of Texas being public land, this investment in state parks is a crucial opportunity to improve outdoor access for millions of Texas residents.
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I know that will seem cynical, but we see this again and again for natural disasters. Unless the event is recent and in an area people identify with, the lessons learned are fairly quickly forgotten by those not directly involved.”
