Every car owner in California might be required to pitch in to help keep the state park system up and running if the latest proposal out of Sacramento makes it past the state Senate and Assembly and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Legislative Budget Conference Committee voted 6-4 to pass the State Parks Access Pass proposal, an idea that would add a $15 fee to California vehicle registration while providing free day-use access to anyone driving a vehicle with California license plates into a state park.
“I actually believe it’s the best thing that could happen,” said Jeannie Kegebein, Mountain Parks Foundation executive director. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
The proposal would provide $363 million in annual revenue for the state parks while eliminating a burden of $143 million from the state’s general fund, said Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
The revenue from the Access Pass would not only keep all the state parks open, but allow additional staff to start working on the estimated $1.2 billion in deferred park maintenance.
Schwarzenegger proposed in late May to close 220 state parks, including Big Basin and Henry Cowell, to narrow California’s $23.4 billion deficit.
Vehicle license fees have already increased this year, up 0.65 percent to a total of 1.15 percent of the vehicle’s purchase price. The revenue from that increase is being used to reduce the state’s gaping budget deficit.
However, Schwarzenegger has vowed not to pass a state budget with tax increases, so even if the proposal makes it through the Assembly and Senate, it’s unlikely the governor would sign it.
Meanwhile, efforts by local parks advocates continue. More than 13,000 letters have been sent to local legislators, and the impact of the state parks on the local economy is being measured.
Closing the state parks would appear to mean a significant blow to local economies.
According to a study by the California State University, Sacramento, visitors to local state parks brought in $720 million to the Santa Cruz County economy, with an average of $56.63 spent locally on every visit to a state park.
