Ballot initiative sets up fight over lottery money

SALEM, Ore. - Voters will get to decide this November whether a portion of lottery proceeds will continue to fund state parks or go into the general fund that could be used for education instead.

The ballot initiative would require 15 percent of lottery proceeds to always be set aside for parks and clean water. It will also keep things the way they are now.

In 1998 voters decided to set aside this money for parks and watersheds but the deal sunsets in four years. The initiative would require the money be permanently set aside for parks and waterways.

Right now lottery revenue makes up 37 percent - the biggest chunk - of the state parks budget.

The concern among state parks supporters is if this source goes away they say parks would fall into disrepair, close or park user fees would be increased.

Some campers staying at Champoeg State Park’s B-Loop Thursday, which was entirely paid for with lottery funds, said they don’t want to see park money go into the state’s general fund.

“If it goes to the general fund it has the tendency to go at the whim of politicians,” said retired teacher John Carter.

But some state lawmakers said freeing up the parks money would give them more flexibility to budget in tough times.

“So you can never have a situation where health care and education and public safety gets cut dramatically and parks and salmon get increased,” said Rep. Dave Hunt, Oregon’s House Speaker.

At Champoeg, lottery money has helped to preserve Oregon’s past.

About 4,000 kids are bused to the park every year to learn about the birthplace of Oregon government and the lifestyle of Oregon settlers.

“From going to Oregon state parks, I’ve learn to be an Oregonian,” said Jessica Moskovitz who is with the campaign to keep the parks funded with lottery dollars.

“Right now Oregonians can access affordable, convenient places to take their family every summer and every time of the year,” she said. “We want to make sure that still happens.”

The state parks department does not receive money from the state general fund and is almost entirely funded with lottery dollars, park user fees and RV registration fees.