State Tourism Commission Approves Salary Increases

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state Tourism and Recreation Commission approves money for salary increases and increased funding to improve state parks.<br/><br/>Commission members Thursday OK'd a $16-million

Friday, September 22nd 2006, 6:22 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state Tourism and Recreation Commission approves money for salary increases and increased funding to improve state parks.

Commission members Thursday OK'd a $16-million funding request that will be presented to the Legislature for approval next year.

The department has identified $88-million in improvements needed at state parks, including roofing and rest room replacements.

According to spokesman Mike Fina, the state Legislature awarded the department $12-million for such improvements this fiscal year, but $16-million is needed to include an employee pay raise and additional advertising money for tourism in the state.

More than $12-million of the latest request will go exclusively to state parks.