Magna Carta News
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
Regina Birchum
Media Specialist
Oklahoma House of Representatives
State Capitol, Suite B-25
405.557.7499 office
405.557.7498 fax
birchumre@lsb.state.ok.us
Contact: State Rep. Dale Turner
Capitol: (405) 557-7306
Holdenville: (405) 379-6762
OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 22) -- A House committee endorsed the
creation of a task force to examine ways to encourage the development
and promotion of tourism and recreation in Oklahoma's rural communities.
House Bill 1307, by Rep. Dale Turner, was approved Monday on a
10-1 vote by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources
and Regulatory Services. "I think we're missing the boat," said Turner,
D-Holdenville. "There's a lot of things out there that we can do to
bring tourism and economic development to rural parts of the state."
HB 1307 would create the "Oklahoma Rural Tourism Task Force,"
which would study opportunities for attracting tourism and development
to rural Oklahoma.
The 11-member panel would develop a listing of undeveloped or
underdeveloped tourist attractions, destinations, or points of interest;
suggest methods for determining the potential economic impact of such
projects; recommend ways to encourage public and private entities to
work together in developing tourism and recreation attractions; identify
potential funding sources; and offer suggestions for promoting
attractions.
Tourism and Recreation Department Director Robb Gray, who spoke
in favor of the bill, told committee members that while there are many
state agencies, like his, that focus resources on rural Oklahoma, there
"is a bit of overlap. We need to maximize dollars, dovetail programs
together."
Turner said the task force will help determine which programs
are working and where the state can best use its resources so that
communities are not left behind.
Turner said requiring those involved in such efforts to sit down
together to devise a strategy would ultimately help effect action. "A
lot of times we think it's enough to have all these associations working
on their own, but then nothing happens."
The task force would have until Feb. 1, 2006 to present a report
of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and both houses of
the Legislature. "The requirement to provide a report is good motivator"
to really examine the issue, said Gray.
-30-
Regina Birchum
Media Specialist
Oklahoma House of Representatives
State Capitol, Suite B-25
405.557.7499 office
405.557.7498 fax
birchumre@lsb.state.ok.us
Contact: State Rep. Dale Turner
Capitol: (405) 557-7306
Holdenville: (405) 379-6762
OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 22) -- A House committee endorsed the
creation of a task force to examine ways to encourage the development
and promotion of tourism and recreation in Oklahoma's rural communities.
House Bill 1307, by Rep. Dale Turner, was approved Monday on a
10-1 vote by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources
and Regulatory Services. "I think we're missing the boat," said Turner,
D-Holdenville. "There's a lot of things out there that we can do to
bring tourism and economic development to rural parts of the state."
HB 1307 would create the "Oklahoma Rural Tourism Task Force,"
which would study opportunities for attracting tourism and development
to rural Oklahoma.
The 11-member panel would develop a listing of undeveloped or
underdeveloped tourist attractions, destinations, or points of interest;
suggest methods for determining the potential economic impact of such
projects; recommend ways to encourage public and private entities to
work together in developing tourism and recreation attractions; identify
potential funding sources; and offer suggestions for promoting
attractions.
Tourism and Recreation Department Director Robb Gray, who spoke
in favor of the bill, told committee members that while there are many
state agencies, like his, that focus resources on rural Oklahoma, there
"is a bit of overlap. We need to maximize dollars, dovetail programs
together."
Turner said the task force will help determine which programs
are working and where the state can best use its resources so that
communities are not left behind.
Turner said requiring those involved in such efforts to sit down
together to devise a strategy would ultimately help effect action. "A
lot of times we think it's enough to have all these associations working
on their own, but then nothing happens."
The task force would have until Feb. 1, 2006 to present a report
of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and both houses of
the Legislature. "The requirement to provide a report is good motivator"
to really examine the issue, said Gray.
-30-
