In Alabama, voters approved a constitutional amendment designed to protect funding for state parks.
Yesterday, voters passed the proposed Amendment 2 to the Alabama Constitution. The measure will prevent any money generated at state parks, as well as any tax dollars designated for park maintenance, from being transferred to other government functions. It will also allow private entities to run hotels, golf courses and restaurants at the parks.
State park supporters pushed for the amendment after state lawmakers diverted money from the parks budget to other government functions during difficult budget years.
Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein has said the amendment would bring funding stability to the park system.
The state had previously been blocked from using outside entities at some parks because of language in a previous bond issue that prohibited privatization.