A plan to fund the California State Parks with an $18 annual vehicle surcharge is one step closer to the November ballot.
The California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act would raise about $500 million a year. Vehicles subject to the new fee, added to registration costs, would receive free, year-round admission to all state parks. The money could only be spent on parks, urban river parkways, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs.
Now subject to the state’s dwindling general fund, the parks have seen drastic budget cuts over the last two years. The governor’s proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning in July zeroes out all general fund revenue for state parks, but offers a fragile promise to restore it with revenue from new offshore oil drilling.
The initiative is one of 51 currently cleared for circulation by the attorney general. At least 433,971 voter signatures are required by May 28 for it to qualify for the November election.
The statewide drive for signatures preempts a local effort to raise money for Sonoma’s state park. The Sonoma Historic and Cultural Pass Subcommittee had researched a pass booklet – sweetened with deals from local retailers – to raise money through increased park attendance.
As presented by chair Philip Sales, the booklet would include a day-pass to the Sonoma State Historic Park, the Museum of Art, and the Depot Park Museum. The “one pass for all’’ would also include discounts and special offers from local retailers, whom he said showed great interest during a preliminary survey.
At sales recommendation, the proposed local pass program has been placed on hold pending the outcome of the state parks’ initiative.
