North State Voices: California's state parks are not expendable

Because it encompasses such a large territory, California is a phenomenon of cultural and geographic diversity.

[Loves to Hike]

We are very fortunate and agree with the writer. The thing that we are unfortunate about is the governor and his wife not having visited the state parks and finding them unimportant.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/save-califor...

Enjoy your state parks...while we have them. Its a shame that the governor has no idea of the once great state of California.

[Also A Hiker]

I agree with most of the article except for the $15 vehicle surcharge that would be added to every vehicle registration in the state. I'd like to know what it would cost per visitor if we left it up to the actual park users to support park budgets. I don't have a huge problem with the 15 bucks, but I don't want to give Sacramento an out from exercising their fiduciary responsibility. State spending has risen faster than revenues even during times of rising revenue, and somehow this imbalance needs to stop. We can't keep enabling the political whims and paybacks of the politicos in Sacramento. The system will not change until it is forced to do so.

[LMT]

I will pay the $15 vehicle fee. Again note that Cal, State Park brings more than $4 million into our economy from tourist, many of whom come from other states and countries. The state only invests $70 million. That is a huge return for our money. I am better off investing in parks than buying stock. Two visits to any park will cover that amount. And yes I want to know how my $15 will be reserved for parks.

We CAN'T afford to lose any more revenue and put an additional 1,500 people on the employment line. We need to make a smart choice and let our leaders know.

[JCOAttyatLaw]

I can't imagine no state parks. It seems like a vehicle tax is a reasonable way to go, as long as free admissions are included.

[Also A Hiker]

The proposal to offer free admissions could result in extreme crowds, as this would have the effect of eliminating the rationing that occurs with entrance fees. I'd rather see an annual pass at varying increments, such as $25, $50, and $100, that would offer a certain number of trips per pass holder. The passes could also be sold on a regional basis, such as the one that you can get that covers Lassen National Park and Whiskeytown NRA.