Getting better for you.
Thank you, Texas!
Texans voted to approve passage of Proposition 5 in the November 5, 2019 election. Now 100% of the sporting goods sales tax will go to fund the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Historical Commission. This funding will help secure the future of local parks, state parks and historic sites for generations to come.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the people of Texas for voting to approve Prop 5.
Better Parks Made Possible by Sporting Goods Sales Tax
When you buy sporting goods in Texas, the state sales taxes collected on those goods help to build new parks and improve and repair existing parks. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has numerous capital repair projects underway to improve state parks. Completion of these and future projects will depend on state sales tax revenue attributed to sporting goods (Sporting Goods Sales Tax).
On November 5th, Texas citizens voted and approved Proposition 5, a constitutional amendment that will dedicate revenue from this existing sales tax so that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission will now receive 100% of the sporting goods sales tax every year, providing a reliable and sustained source of funding ─ without increasing taxes.
State of Texas Proposition 5
“The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.”
Major Projects Funded by Sporting Goods Sales Tax
Franklin Mountains State Park
Current New visitors center scheduled for Winter 2020 opening.
Ft. Boggy State Park
Completed New cabins, trail bridge and wastewater treatment plant repairs completed.
Goose Island State Park
Current Upcoming repairs due to Harvey include: boat ramp, fishing pier, CCC recreation hall, camping facilities and more in 2019/20.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Completed Indoor group hall, comfort station and restroom with showers completed, along with 20 rebuilt campsites, a group camp area, and six bridges. New HQ building in planning stage.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
Current In development on 4,400 acres, just 80 miles from Ft. Worth, this park will include cabins, trails for horseback riding, hiking and biking and a 90-acre lake.
Critical Utility Upgrades
Current/Completed Currently, 31 critical utility upgrades (electric, wastewater or water systems) and 20 restrooms are in progress or completed at multiple parks.
Flood & Hurricane Repairs
Current/Completed 11 parks have or will undergo repairs (facility, road, roof, dam replacement, erosion, bridge, restroom, beaches, levees) due to flooding in 2015/16 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Lake Livingston
Current Marina area and fishing pier accessibility upgrades and repairs scheduled.
Bastrop State Park
Current/Completed Dam replacement, road repairs, and renovation to group barracks complex in progress. Repairs to swimming pool and cabin 12 slope stabilization completed.