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State Parks leaders start cutting staff

State Parks leaders have decided to go ahead with planned layoffs, even after the Legislature asked them not to. 

The Peninsula Gateway reports the State Parks and Recreation Commission found it was in financial trouble, and would lose an average of 750-thousand-dollars per month. To ease that deficit, officials for the Parks announced they would start deep layoffs of rangers and maintenance staff last month. 

The Legislature urged the commission to delay that decision, citing public safety issues. The parks director responded by saying it would be irresponsible and dangerous to delay cutting costs. 

Low sales of the Discovery Pass have been cited as one reason for the park’s loss of revenue.  The Discovery pass is 30-dollar annual payment that allows day-use parking at any state park.

KNKX Morning Edition Production Assistant.