Schwarzenegger Would Close 220 State Parks To Cut Deficit

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget cuts could mean the closing of up to 220 state parks, among them the home of the world's tallest tree and other attractions that draw millions of visitors. Schwarzenegger this week recommended eliminating $70 million in parks spending through June 30, 2010. An additional $143.4 million would be saved in the following fiscal year by keeping the parks closed.

"This is a worst-case scenario," said Roy Sterns, a spokesman at the state parks department. "If we can do less than this, we will try. But under the present proposal, this is it."

Among the parks that could be closed, the parks department said Thursday, are Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay, Will Rogers' Southern California ranch and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which boasts the world's tallest tree, a giant that tops 370 feet. Even the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento is on the list.

The Legislature last year rejected the governor's proposal to close 48 state parks. But lawmakers said that with California's budget deficit now at $24.3 billion, the situation is so dire that it is likely some parks will close.

"Things that were previously dead on arrival are a lot more viable in a crisis like this," said Democrat Jared Huffman, chairman of the Assembly's parks and wildlife committee. "I think some cuts are coming to the parks, and they'll be cuts I won't like and the public won't like."

The state parks department said a $70 million cut would leave it with enough money to run just 59 of California's 279 state parks.

The state's famed park system attracts nearly 80 million visitors a year. William Randolph Hearst's Castle on the Central Coast and a dozen other so-called moneymakers would remain open, as would many Southern California beaches that attract millions of visitors year round.

But others that could close include: Fort Ross State Historic Park, the southernmost Russian settlement in North America; Bodie State Historic Park, one of the best-preserved Old West ghost towns; and Big Basin Redwoods, the oldest state park.

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The proposal has angered conservationists and some Democrats in the Legislature, who say California's parks are treasured spots that help the state and local economy.

"State parks draw tourism to California," State Parks Foundation president Elizabeth Goldstein said. "This proposal makes the budget situation worse."

The foundation estimates the state gets a $2.35 return for every dollar it spends on parks.

California spends roughly $400 million a year running 279 state parks and beaches, with roughly a third of the money coming from the state general fund. The rest comes from user fees, which account for slightly more than a quarter of the revenue; bond funds; gasoline taxes; federal money; and other sources.

Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines said the state cannot afford to subsidize state parks when lawmakers are being asked to make severe cuts in even more vital areas.

"Parks are just not going to be a priority over public safety and education, as much as we hate to see them close," Villines said.

At least 2,000 park rangers, biologists, lifeguards, interpreters, architects and maintenance workers would be laid off if the proposal is adopted, said Sterns, the parks spokesman.

The layoffs would be in addition to 5,000 state positions the governor has already recommended cutting.

"When you cut that much, you have to let go highly trained teams of biologists that you can't get back in a year or two," Huffman said. "It's a myth to think you can mothball the entire system. These cuts will cripple the park system for a decade or more."

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On the Net:

California State Parks: http://www.parks.ca.gov/

Comments

[TIRM]

As long as the state government is hog-tied by the multitude of unions running the show, there is nothing that can be done to fix the system. California; the test-bed for the future state Obama wishes upon us all. The problem isn't prop 13, because the problem isn't raising taxes. California is already among the highest, if not the highest, taxed states in the country.

What I find most amazing is that the whole state is on the verge of collapse, and the whole state is more concerned about the ability for gays and lesbians to call themselves married. They should be more concerned that the government unions are holding the whole state hostage.

[DrRoberts99]

This is the typical know-nothing Republican commentary one has come to expect. "The problem isn't prop 13, because the problem isn't raising taxes." TIRM states. Oh ye of no knowledge of history. Prop 13 not only froze property taxes for individuals but for commercial interests as well which means that many businesses are paying the same amount of property tax that was paid in the seventies. As a result, not only has the property tax burden shifted from business to the homeowner, property taxes collected have not kept pace with the financial needs of the state, thus, along with the pillaging and looting of California by George W. Bush's tag team of energy pirates, as well as poor decisions by the Governor and the Legislature, the State finds itself in this crisis. Up until the "Reaganomics" inspired idea of Prop 13, the state of California boasted the best scool system in the country as well as the most modern infrastructure. California now battles Mississippi for least amount of money spent per pupil and the roads, bridges, sewer systems, et al are crumbling. The state of California is Exhibit A in the failure of Reaganomics and the prime domestic example of the totally failed and corrupt Bush Administration.

[mairs]

Um.... people can hold more than one thought in their brains at one time. I assume a state can as well. It can both deal with a budget shortfall AND gay marriage without going on tilt.

[gakabani]

The terminator is going to terminate California, he is finishing what Regan started.

[enochsmoky]

Get rid of 15% of the state workers and cut the salary of the remaining 85%. Any bureaucracy can get rid of 20-25% of their workers and no one would know the difference. Change the work rules, adjust the pensions, reduce the vacation time, there are all sorts of adjustments that can be made, just ask the auto companies. The basic problem is that the government workers were paid too much for too little work.

[nylibgrrl]

"no one would know the difference"

Except these people and their families, but they don't count I guess.

Plus more people seeking unemployment and other assistance helps the budget in what way?

[Hallandale]

...And why exactly did they "terminate" Grey Davis...OK­! ...to get a Republican in there. What SHOCK! What AWE!

[BDAinVA]

What a great legacy for future generations!

[Amalek]

California needs to come to terms with its spending. If people want the level of government services they have enjoyed in California they need to be willing to pay for it. Prop 13 is the real problem - all those people paying property taxes on a tiny fraction of their home prices while recent arrivals pay full boat.

The people have shown they will not be responsible and tax themselves adequately to pay for what they want. The only answer now is to reduce government services down to the point that people start saying they are willing to pay more to have them. This will be a painful journey, but a good one.

We need to go on the same trip on a federal basis, and I think we will be doing so in a few years.

[Thaigold]

California's discontent can be traced right back to Ronnie Ray-Gun and his Proposition 13 acolytes.

[solarian]

instead of the parks they terminate his governorship and throw him out of office

[Amalek]

That won't solve the problem. They got a super hero in the governor's mansion now and he can't fix the problem. The problem is the people in this case, not the government.

[HammeroftheGods]

He promised to reform California, cut spending, be the savior to all our problems. As it turns out he became worse than what he campaigned against. This past week he on TV telling everyone Sacramento over spent. He forgets to mentioned his signature is on all those spending bills. He not once said "NO" to any spending bills that came across his desk, don't be fooled by this clown!

[darker]

Arnold instead should TERMINATE the salaries of 250 corporate welfare queen CEOs' salaries.
It would be good for the ethics and morals and finances of California and the USA.

[PSM42]

The Shock Doctrine - Naomi Klein -

This _is_ the shock doctrine - being carried out on _US_. -

http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine

[LITU]

The method has been tested around the world, and now it's come home to roost, which seemed to be the plan from the get-go.

[tm68]

Can't you just raise the park fees to generate more income rather than close them? Or, only close those that don't generate a profit. How are they making the determination of which ones to close?

[ReverendWeenis]

I am perplexed as to why so many people fail to realize the potential good that could come from situations such as this, where government behemoths are looking to surrender their power over something.

There's no good reason why environmental groups (groups which many of you may contribute to) can't refrain from spending billions of dollars on lobbying fat cat bureaucrats in Washington; and instead use those billions to buy up these lands for proven conservation and preservation efforts that aren't influenced by political pressures.

Ask yourself - would it really matter to you if the same sunset, from the same rock outcropping, on the same trail, in the same Park, were owned by any entity other than the state of California? I highly doubt it.

You don't have to lose the parks - just the money-sucking behemoth that is in charge of them.

[imsosure]

It'd be an easier task to vote him out of office and keep the parks. He's not that impressive or successful and he could easily serve his state by leaving the government and letting a more qualified person take over the task of Governor.

[biohazard391]

This is the same mind set that was around when Davis was governor..­. and look how great that turned out...

[NoMoreFreepers]

Anyone know if FAFSA based student loans for college students will be affected too?

[Amalek]

Federal loans, no. However, either the universities will close or tuition will be raised to the point you cannot afford it anyway.