YES on Prop 21: a good deal for California's people, parks, wildlife, and economy.

Last year, budget cuts partially shut down 150 parks and threatened to completely shut down 200 parks altogether.  I spend my days in office buildings and in front of computers, so I was very upset by the thought of losing access to precious outdoor places where I enjoy rejuvenating weekends in nature.  When I first reviewed Proposition 21 earlier this year, I was encouraged by its pragmatic solution to the state parks’ funding woes.  Prop 21 will create an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California cars, motorcycles and recreational vehicles that will be collected as part of the annual vehicle license fee. This fund will generate $500 million each year (based on about 28 million registered vehicles); 85 percent will be allocated to state parks and 15 percent to other state wildlife and ocean protection agencies.

California’s state parks have been the setting for some of the best adventures I’ve had in the last few years: Fourth of July last year spent on the beach at Montana de Oro in San Luis Obispo (where I encountered a lynx on a trail early in the morning after a solo surf session) and the Fourth this year at Van Damme in Mendocino (with no waves in sight, we broke up an afternoon of beach lounging with cold water swims and bocce ball tournaments); rainy hikes with friends through Butano, a hidden gem in San Mateo County, dodging banana slugs and newts that came out by the hundreds to soak up the moisture; gazing at wildflowers and scanning for bighorn sheep in travels through the ruggedly beautiful Anza-Borrego desert; wild mushroom collecting in Jedediah Smith Redwoods in Del Norte; camping and biking through layers of history and astonishing views on Angel Island; and surfing off Point Dume. 

My list of state park adventures goes on, but the point is, as the State becomes ever more crowded, natural places available to all Californians will become even more scarce, making our state parks increasingly valuable.  Yet, California’s parks have chronically been in jeopardy of being closed or falling into disrepair because they do not have a reliable source of funding. 

Opponents of Prop 21 claim that it makes budget-writing more difficult by creating a dedicated source funds that are set aside for the parks.  George Skelton’s LA Times piece offers a good response to this opposition argument: “yes, ballot box budgeting is a scourge of state governing. It reduces the flexibility of the governor and the Legislature to act. But if they're incapable of acting, should the voters then solve the problem themselves?”  Furthermore, with a new dedicated revenue stream in place, more than $130 million of General Fund dollars that otherwise would provide a portion of overall state park funding will now be available for other vital needs, like schools, health care, social services or public safety.  This actually increases budget flexibility.

Adequately funding our state parks also strengthens California’s economy, because these places attract millions of tourists to California every year.  A recent study found that state-park tourists spend $4.32 billion annually in park‐related expenditures in California and an average of $57.63 in the parks and surrounding communities per visit. They generate so much economic activity that every dollar the state spends on state parks generates another $2.35 for California’s treasury.

Finally, Prop 21 is a great deal for all Californians because the $18 vehicle surcharge gives free day-use admission to all state parks throughout the year.  An annual pass to the state parks currently costs $125 or $10‐$15 per day.   Compared to just about any other entertainment option, $18 for a whole family to enjoy countless days exploring California’s natural wonders is a fantastic deal.

The biggest challenge for Prop 21 is that most voters don’t know what it does.  Please spread the word and VOTE YES on Prop 21 for State Parks.  Learn more about why NRDC and I encourage you to vote Yes on Proposition 21 and support California’s State Parks, and Like Save Our State Parks and  Yes on 21 on Facebook.

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