1. Baxter State Park Student Sample
By Hannah Johnson

2. The Baxter State Park Authority
Although Baxter is considered a state park it is separate from the state and separate from any connection with the State Park system (the Bureau of Parks and Land/Dept. of Conservation.
The park is overseen by The Baxter State Park Authority, consisting of three people (Maine Attorney General, the Director of the Maine Forest Service and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The Baxter State Park has full power and authority over the management of Baxter State Park.
The authority is assisted with decisions regarding the development and policies of the park by a number of committees. A couple of them include and advisory committee, as well as an investment committee.

3. Funding
40% of funding for Baxter comes from entrance fees, camping, and wood product revenues.
The other 60% comes from revenues from trusts set up by the park’s founder.
The funds to help operate the park also come from donations from independent trusts and organizations.
The park also accepts donations from various individuals every single year.

4. Jobs for Mainers
The park employs 22 year round employees, and 39 seasonal employees
These employees are tasked with protecting, maintaining, and operating the park
In addition to park personnel, the operation of the park is also assisted by contracted personnel that help prepare firewood bundles, perform road maintenance, and other regular maintenance that is necessary for the park to operate fully.

5. Current Event
Paul LePage is attempting to outsources 24 seasonal positions within the bureau that oversees Maine State Parks
LePage is also looking to eliminate some management positions within the bureau.

6. Concerns About Outsourcing
Supporters of outsourcing and cutting these position argue that it is aimed at improving efficiency and refocusing resources, and of course it would save money.
However, the shift to outsourcing these positions is not expected to save the department any money, the money used to pay regular seasonal workers would simply be transferred to a contractor fund.
Opponents worry that outsourcing for seasonal employees with ruin the visitor experience. Many of the seasonal employees return year after year and become extremely familiar with the park.
Seasonal employees provide a recruiting pool for full time employees.
If the visitor experience is compromised it may deter visitors from coming to Maine State Parks.
If seasonal positions are outsourced those are jobs that are not going to Maine worker, therefore money that is not going back into the Maine economy.

7. Sources http://baxterstatepark.org/shortcodes/organization/
question-lepage-plan-to-outsource-park-jobs-cut- management-positions/