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California State Parks Budget Proposal is a Win-Win for Everyone

By Elizabeth Goldstein
President
California State Parks Foundation

While we were thrilled to see that Governor Schwarzenegger removed 48 state parks from closure in his May Revise, we have concerns with his short-term solution, since it is possible and perhaps highly likely, that we will be facing significant revenue short falls next year, as well. This short-term solution would do nothing to permanently keep state parks off the chopping block during future budget cuts. We need a long-term solution that will provide the necessary means to keep California’s state parks open and preserved for future generations.

That long-term solution was introduced earlier this week when Assembly member John Laird announced the California State Park Access Pass program as part of the Assembly’s budget proposal. The California State Parks Foundation strongly supports this proposal to get us to that much-needed long-term solution.

The basic tenet of this program is that Californians will pay a $10 surcharge on their annual vehicle license fee. This will raise approximately $282 million annually in new funding to support the state park system. These funds are sorely needed as many of our state parks, due to past budget cuts, have had to forego basic annual maintenance and upkeep, resulting in more than a $1.2 billion backlog of deferred maintenance. The Department of Parks and Recreation estimates it has a shortfall of ongoing maintenance of approximately $117 million. This solution provides us with a source of funding that is stable and sustainable, and that will return our state parks to the splendor of its past.

As a benefit of paying the fee, all Californians will be given free day-use access to California’s state parks. No more entrance fees to be paid at the kiosks. By enjoying California’s majestic state parks system once or twice a year, Californians will have more than received their money’s worth as current day use fees are typically $6-$8 per day.

This proposal recognizes the immediate need to help create savings in the state’s General Fund. In the first three years of implementing the State Park Access Pass, the Department of Parks and Recreation will reduce its General Fund allocation and provide that savings for other state budget uses. In the first year of implementing the Park Access Pass and collecting fee revenue, the savings to the General Fund will be approximately $150 million. Savings in year two and three will be up to $100 million, and $50 million, respectively. After year four, the general Fund commitment to the state park system will be fully restored, as the goal of the program is to increase funding to address the needs of the state park system, not to supplant existing General Fund support to California’s state parks.

This proposal is truly a rare example of a win-win situation. The public wins by getting free access to their state parks, but also by generating funds that will improve and enhance the parks so that everyone will want to visit them more often. The state parks system wins by constantly having a reliable source of funding.

I encourage all Californians to let the Legislature and the Governor know that this proposal is the right choice at the right time and should be approved immediately.

Elizabeth Goldstein is the president of the California State Park Foundation. With its 95,000 members, the California State Parks Foundation is the only independent nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing, promoting and advocating for California’s magnificent state parks. For more information about California’s state parks, visit www.calparks.org.

Posted on June 03, 2008

Comments

Another fee (TAX) on something I don't use.
Two car family thats 20 bucks (This Year) fee's do not go down. I'm sure it will be 40 next year.
NO THANK YOU!

Posted by: Jeff at June 3, 2008 08:01 AM

$10/vehicle/year to have free access to and maintenance of the nation's finest state park system is minor indeed.

Residents with more than one motor vehicle they are quite fortunate. Some people and families can not afford even one car.

Posted by: Marsie Bellezza at June 3, 2008 09:35 AM

It's a regressive tax. Those who can barely afford a car will be subject to this $10 surcharge, and those who can afford a car easily will only be subject to a $10 surcharge. And it's not even to use a certain service, but it's for purposes that some won't even use. That's a tax, and it's regressive. And don't claim a public good, I have trouble thinking of a public good resulting from regressive taxation

Posted by: Ben at June 3, 2008 02:43 PM

The 10 dollar Tax/Surcharge should be for new car Purchases in California for the next 10 years. This would be a reasonable approach to keeping Our State Parks Funded.

Posted by: Kory McFarland at June 3, 2008 04:37 PM

Once again more taxes for the people who can least afford it. Jose and Maria who live in the city and never go to the state park. Yea, stick them with the bill. At the same time we will cut the fees of the rich that have boats, surf boards and spend their free time at the park. With gas at 4 bucks Jose will never be able to afford to drive there anyway. Great Idea!

Posted by: Jeff at June 3, 2008 05:35 PM

Ain't gonna fly. It's admirable that the "goal of the program is to increase funding to address the needs of the state park system, not to supplant existing General Fund support to California’s state parks." BUT that's EXACTLY what will happen. Cash-strapped California electeds will see a dedicated funding stream and Parks can kiss Gen Fund $ good-bye. The only way it *might* work is to tie that new money to repayment of bonds, so the money is an airtight "hands-off."

Posted by: SkeptiCalifornia at June 4, 2008 10:13 AM

I'm skeptical about how much revenue this is really making. What about out of state cars? I'm sure there is a huge influx of out of staters visiting CA parks for free. To some degree it makes some sense that those that own lots of cars would pay more. But $40s a year is a steal for 4 car owners who may visit the park every weekend. The state parks still need to be patrolled for safety so there isn't much of a savings from not having to collect fees at kiosks. They should up the fines for not paying and find a better way to collect fees. However, I'm not a supporter of the idea that only visitors should pay- they should, but even people who don't visit should pay some amount because at some time in their life they will visit and it's part of our state that all people should pay to support its existence. However, $10/yr/auto could be a lot to some people. Although, on the other hand- it's less than a dollar a month and it could reduce the amount of cars on the road. I still think that in the end, this system does not tax the rich enough nor replace entrance fees from out of staters nor help reduce costs of collecting entry fees.

Posted by: cla at July 2, 2008 09:46 AM

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