Rep. McCarty on the Future of Harkness

HARTFORD — Governor Malloy has released his Deficit Mitigation and Rescission Directives for the current fiscal year (ending June 30th) to the General Assembly. State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-38) was disheartened to learn that in his May Deficit Mitigation Plan, revenues are transferred out of Connecticut’s State Park Maintenance, Repair, and Improvement accounts (MRIs) to settle the state’s deficit for this current year. According to this plan, $500,000 of funding would be taken from Harkness Memorial State Park, a park Rep. McCarty legislatively adopted in her first term.

“If maintenance funds are taken away from Harkness, it will be impossible to continue mansion restoration projects and the Greenhouse Restoration initiative; let alone maintain regular repair work,” said Rep. McCarty. “Just to make up for this loss of savings, Harkness would need to host a minimum of 250 weddings per year – an extraordinary effort that would be worthless if the account is raided again. I am extremely disappointed in this deficit mitigation plan, which does tremendous harm to our state parks; particularly Harkness. Harkness is so valuable to our community – and to me personally. I want to make sure that it remains preserved and vibrant well into the future.”

The Friends of Harkness donate approximately $350,000 hours of labor to Harkness Park each year. In addition, Harkness hosts approximately 70-80 weddings annually to raise funds for the park.

“The volunteers help keep the park well-maintained and beautiful. They put their heart and soul into protecting Harkness with the understanding that the funds they raise will be matched by the state for ongoing restoration and repairs to park buildings,” said Rep. McCarty. “The state is breaking that trust and violating state statute. It is demoralizing and unacceptable. The governor is raiding and sweeping the money we all thought was protected. Harkness’ revenue must remain in the MRI account.”

Eileen Grant, President of The Friends of Connecticut State Parks, Inc., says: “All State Parks will be harmed by transfer of the MRI accounts. They have earned their funds through entrepreneurial programs/efforts. But if, for example, Harkness's money is raided or stolen, we will insist that the wedding rentals be terminated as there will be no reason to continue the program. It is no secret that Parks are in critical condition already. How can anyone take measures which will degrade them further?”

The Senate and House Republicans proposed a budget plan, “Confident Connecticut,” that supports our state parks. Learn more at www.cthousegop.com.