2015 General Assembly Results

Furnishings at a Virginia State Park

Hi to all,

The 2015 Legislative Session is rapidly drawing to a close. The budget conferees have agreed on a budget and have issued a conference report. The full Assembly is expected to vote on the conference report today and the assumption is that it will be approved. From our perspective, a quick recap of the overall results would be “good news, bad news”.

First, the bad news. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Compensation and Retirement once again tabled our VaLORS bill – SB 692.

Now, the good news. And, the good news is pretty spectacular. This was one of our best years in a long time in terms of state park system dollars.

As you know, the Governor included $2.24 million in his budget for initial development of Seven Bends State Park . This provision was retained in the conference report.

Our proposed amendments met much success. While the amounts approved do not always match the amounts requested, most of our issues were addressed in part or in total. Here’s a quick recap of what was approved:

$850,000 to replace worn-out cabin furnishings
$260,000 to furnish 15 new cabins to be built this year
$60,000 to begin the transition for Natural Bridge to become a state park
$1.45 million to provide yurts throughout the park system; and,
$177,000 to acquire land in-holdings at Natural Tunnel State Park .

Other issues that we actively supported also did well. Here’s a quick recap of those:

$500,000 for the National Heritage Program;
$1.5 million for the Occoneechee sprayground;
$4.5 million for maintenance reserve;
$3 million for the Virginia Land Conservation Fund (brings the balance to $6.0 million – hopefully will result in some land acquisition for future state Parks); and;
$2.5 million for the future Clinch River State Park as part of an overall $14 million planning pool for future projects in multiple budget areas.

Thank you for your input to legislative members supporting the state park system needs. Without your inputs, the successes outlined above would not have been possible!

Please be assured that your continuing support for Virginia ’s parks is greatly appreciated!

Johnny