PARKS -- State Parks were hurting when the 2013 Washington Legisature convene, and a bunch of them will be closing if the Senate doesn't scratch up some money to keep these valuable assets solvent.

The state budget as proposed by the Senate on Thursday -- SSB 5034 -- would CUT the state parks budget by more than $5 million and force the closure of some state parks.

A lot is at stake for Spokane area, where the quality of life is vastly enhanced by Mount Spokane and Riverside state parks, which also manage the Centennial Trail and Little Spokane Natural Area.

But under deep cuts inflicted on the agency over the past few years, Mount Spokane already has no ranger on duty two days a week. That situation would likely get worse under the current budget proposal, not to mention the 30 or so parks that would have to be closed.

"The governor’s proposed budget is much kinder to State Parks," said Cris Currie of the Friends of Mount Spokane State Park.

State Parks needs $27 million from the General Fund to keep the system functioning reasonably, said Jeff Lambert, conservation chair of the Spokane Mountaineers.  At this point, he said, "There is no long-range financial plan for State Parks."

 Contacts:

• Washington State Senators list
• Sen. Andy Billig  andy.billig@leg.wa.gov    District 3, Central Spokane
• Sen. Mike Padden mike.padden@leg.wa.gov District 4, Spokane Valley
• Sen. Michael Baumgartner michael.baumgartner@leg.wa.gov District 6, South and North Spokane
• Washington's legislative hotline can be called at (800) 562-6000.