Committee to Seek Sources of Revenue for State Agency

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, announced today the formation of an exploratory committee to identify the resources necessary to establish an initiative petition process that will result in a reliable stream of revenue for the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.

Wilson said the purpose of this committee will be to identify and invite private sector input and funding to finance the initiative petition. The end result of the petition process, if successful, will be to obligate a portion of existing revenue to finance the capital improvement needs of the Department of Tourism and Recreation on an annual basis. The initiative may also include setting aside capital improvement money to be granted to local governments for their tourism and recreation needs.

“The Department of Tourism and Recreation has not received adequate funding through the normal appropriations process in the last fifty years,” Wilson said. “With the recent veto of $2.4 million in necessary capital improvement dollars, there is no reason to think that will change in the future.”

If implemented, the proposal will remove the crisis management component of capital improvements by guaranteeing the Department at least $10 million per year in capital improvement funds. Wilson believes it will bring the state’s parks in line with neighboring states who already have a dedicated a stream of revenue for their natural resources – improving Oklahoma’s ability to compete for tourism dollars and increasing the size of the state’s tourism industry.

“The Department has identified at least $88 million in current capital improvement needs. Some of these needs will require the threat of closure - as in the 2002 environmental action - to get the attention and funding of the Legislature and Governor,” continued Wilson. “Other capital projects make for good business in helping Oklahoma maintain and compete in its third largest industry, tourism.”

A recent survey conducted by Oklahoma State University shows that one half of Oklahomans believe our parks are under funded. Additionally, one half of Oklahomans believe the state Tourism and Recreation Department should focus on rectifying existing problems in the state parks and it should be a state priority. Oklahomans want good quality parks and recreational areas, and they believe that the number of out of state visitors will increase if we improve on our parks. Investing $10 million annually to maintain and grow a $4 billion dollar industry will no doubt have a net cost of less and perhaps a positive return on investment concluded Wilson.