State park managers, who have the most hands-on experience with market conditions in their areas, should be allowed greater authority to set fees for park services and facilities. Expanding the range of concessions offered in state parks would also enhanc e their economic independence. We further recommend that TPWD be allowed to retain the interest from many of its operational funds, interest that's currently deposited to general revenue. And the agency's financial flexibility would be increased by eliminating some of its dedicated funds and allowing their use for general agency purpose s. Moreover, TPWD should be freed to enter into private partnerships, as well as public and private endowments to support its park facilities.
Entrepreneurial practices have a place in criminal justice, too.
TDCJ's prison industries program consists of 35 factories and plants, with another 15 slated to come on-line by 1995. They sell a wide variety of manufactured products at TDCJ units, state agencies and local governments, and now even offer certain specialized services, such as data entry. And state legal provisions governing the purchases of servic es and items produced by TDCJ should be tightened so that state agencies will make full use of prison industry products. This report has also identified significant savings opportunities in state and federal Medicaid spending. Finally, Against the Grain suggests a comprehensive approach to increasing competition within state government for improved customer service.