FY 2021 State Budget Conference Committee fully funds DCR Parks and Recreation Operations
We at Mass Conservation Voters want to send a big thank you to everyone who contacted legislators on the Commonwealth’s FY 2021 Conference Committee Budget. All of our efforts paid off and then some.
The Conference Committee released its budget on Dec. 3rd and is proposing $51.5 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Parks and Recreation Operations Account (line 2810-0100). That’s $1.1 million more than the House Budget figure we asked you to support.
From here the budget, which covers spending for the balance of FY 2021 through June 30th of next year, will go to both chambers for final approval and then to Gov. Baker for his approval.
When the pandemic hit last spring, and our open parks and forests represented one of the few activities that could get us outdoors safely, DCR admirably handled triple digit increases in use. This proved beyond all doubt that our state park system and other DCR facilities are essential to our physical and mental health.
We thank the Conference Committee for recognizing this reality in a time of economic stress. We will be expressing our gratitude to the Conference Committee for its support and you should feel free to do so as well.
The members of the Conference Committee are:
- Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair, House Ways and Means Committee (Phone: 617-722-2990)
- Representative Denise Garlick, Vice Chair, House Ways and Means Committee (Phone: 617-722-2380)
- Representative Todd Smola, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee (Phone: 617-722-2100)
- Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair, Senate Ways and Means Committee (Phone: 617-722-1114)
- Senator Cindy Friedman, Vice-Chair, Senate Ways and Means Committee (Phone: 617-722-1432)
- Senator Patrick O’Connor, ranking Republican member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee (Phone: 617-722-1646)
While we are not where we want to be until the House and Senate approve and the Governor signs the budget, we are hopeful this will be the final number for this account.
Thank you again. Together, the park you save may be your own.
Yours in conservation,
Doug Pizzi
Executive Director