Doug Pizzi | Executive Director
We are pleased to report that the Massachusetts Legislature has responded to our request to provide the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Parks and Recreation Operations Budget (line 2810-0100) with a significant increase for the fiscal year that started July 1 (FY2020).
Funded at a level of $40.25 million for the previous fiscal year, the Legislature has sent to Gov. Charlie Baker for his consideration a proposed $47.25 million funding level for the account. The additional funding will help DCR recover from previous budget cuts that greatly reduced staff. The governor, who proposed funding the account at $42.24 million, can seek to reduce that figure before he sends the budget back to the Legislature for final approval. The Legislature may then accept or override any changes the governor has made.
Throughout the budget process, we kept you apprised of developments, asked for your help, and you responded. So thank you for supporting our efforts! Together, we’ve had a positive impact resulting in the largest proposed increase to this DCR account in at least five years–but we’re not done yet! We have one more thing to ask you as Gov. Baker considers the budget. Click here to contact Gov. Baker and ask him to approve the $47.25 million figure for DCR Line 2810-0100. Should he reduce this amount, we will ask you to join us once more in asking the Legislature to restore the funding level to $47.25 million. It would also be helpful to thank your legislators for supporting our public open spaces.
Let’s hope the governor sees fit to fully fund the account at the level the Legislature has proposed. Take a few minutes to contact the governor today and remind him that this funding will go a long way to support our state’s $16.2 billion annual outdoor recreation economy.
Thank you again for your continuing support for Massachusetts forests, parks, bike paths, beaches, swimming pools and other facilities that make Massachusetts such a wonderful place to live and visit.