Environmental groups turn in 760,000 signatures for November ballot measure to fund parks
Paul Rogers
San Jose Mercury News
04/19/2010
A plan to charge California motorists $18 a year to shore up the state parks system's finances took another step toward the November ballot on Monday when environmental groups submitted about 760,000 signatures to election officials.
Under state law, the campaign needs 433,931 valid signatures of registered California voters to qualify the initiative. Elections officials have until June 24 to certify the measure.
If approved by a simple majority of state voters on Nov. 2, the measure would increase annual vehicle registration fees for California motorists by $18 a year, and allow any car with California license plates free admission to the state's 278 parks, which currently charge fees that range from about $6 to $15 per visit. State parks include redwoods forests such as Big Basin in Santa Cruz County, historic sites such as Marshall Gold Discovery park in El Dorado County and beaches like Malibu Creek near Los Angeles.
The fee would apply to nearly all vehicles, including motorcycles and RVs, but not commercial trucks. It would raise roughly $500 million a year, compared to the current annual state park operations budget of $380 million.
After the idea was first floated this fall, taxpayer groups, such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, said they would oppose the measure. Also, when the idea was raised in the Legislature, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would veto it because he considered it a new tax. In 2008, however, Schwarzenegger proposed and approved an $11 increase in vehicle registration fees to fund the California Highway Patrol.
Last year, Schwarzenegger drew significant public opposition when he proposed closing 220 of California's 278 state parks to help balance the state budget. After lawmakers restored funding, he proposed closing 100, then reversed course and required $14.2 million in cuts that were achieved through reduced hours, closed visitor centers and padlocked restrooms at beaches, forests and historic sites.
Similar proposals to sharply cut back or close state parks are expected this summer from Sacramento, which is grappling with an $18.6 billion deficit.
"When presented with a viable alternative, Californians want to protect and preserve state parks," said Mike Sweeney, executive director of the California Nature Conservancy. "Through the state parks initiative, voters will create a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding."
