A legislative panel Wednesday will consider authorizing $1.1 million in emergency funding to keep state parks open through the rest of the year.
In a letter to the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, head of Parks and Recreation Philip Bryce says the projected shortfall is due to the state operating under a six-month continuing resolution.
Bryce says if the money isn’t approved, the department will have to curtail operations and close parks due to lack of staffing and supplies.
He notes the parks would close at a time when tourists typically head to the state to take in the fall foliage.
Gov. Maggie Hassan vetoed the $11.3 billion, two-year state budget approved by Republican lawmakers in June.
The stalemate doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon.
Hassan rejected a counterproposal earlier this month from Republican leadership, saying it fails to pay for proposed business tax cuts.
