BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Department of Parks and Recreation was started down a path that Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter hopes will mean the agency pays for itself, rather than relying on taxpayer money to help keep 30 state parks across Idaho open.
No other state has weaned its parks system off taxpayer money, and lawmakers on Idaho's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee said Monday it's going to be a challenge here, as well.
They set the agency's fiscal year 2010 budget at $30.4 million, including a nearly 80 percent cut in taxpayer money, elimination of 25 jobs and a plan to raid $1.4 million from maintenance reserves and another $2 million from an existing recreational vehicle registration to make ends meet.
It also raises prices for campers and others.
The House and Senate still must approve this spending plan but are expected to do so.
