Governator Email Response to Park Closure

[Brentbba]

Got this email in response to my email on keeping CA parks open:

Thank you for writing to me about funding for our state parks system. Your
input is important to me during these challenging times.

California's natural beauty is renowned throughout the world, and I have made it
my priority to protect our environment so future generations of Californians can
continue to experience and enjoy what we have all come to love. Our state parks
provide a fantastic introduction to the California experience and help bring our
residents and visitors closer to our landscapes.

Unfortunately, the state cannot continue to bear the costs of supporting every
program. Believe me when I say that these cuts have been the hardest decisions
of my career as Governor, but we are in the midst of the greatest economic
crisis since the Great Depression. Our revenues for the coming year are at
least 27 percent below where they were projected to be just two short years ago.
We now face a shortfall that has grown to $24.3 billion, and the people of
California have made their voice clear: they want the state to live within its
means and solve its problems through spending cuts and not tax increases.

To help manage our budget shortfall, I have proposed eliminating General Fund
support for the Department of Parks and Recreation. I understand that these
cuts will impact not only the lives of our park employees but the millions of
park visitors who visit these national treasurers every year. In spite of these
General Fund cuts, though, I will work to keep as many parks open as possible
with funding from user fees. It may require raising entry and camping fees,
expanding partnerships with local government and non-profit groups, and seeking
additional creative ways to support our system in the future.

As I work with my partners in the Legislature to find solutions to these
problems, know I will keep your thoughts in mind. Working together, I believe
we can weather this storm and start the slow but steady march back toward
prosperity.

Sincerely,


Arnold Schwarzenegger

 

[hntashdjian]

This sux man.

I am ok with paying a higher entrance fees, as long as the parks stay open.

 

[Dan2722]

I understand the need to cut the fat from the state budget and am all for it in order to get us out of this mess.

What I don't understand or support is the additional pork barrel spending I am still seeing with the latest round of budget talks. This morning I saw that one of the items on the table to add into next years fiscal budget is a Blueberry commission to promote and advertise CA blueberries. WTF

The blueberry farmers can promote their own product without the help from the state.

 

[arotrhd]

Hmmm, let's close access to OUR land because it might save .003% of our states F'd up budget. Oh, let's also forget about the unintended consequences of losing potential tax revenue that the host cities near the states parks now will not generate becuase of the closures. Last I understood, the tax revenue generated by the surrounding communities actually covered the cost of operation of state parks and pushed money back into the bucket.At least Crystal Cove still has beach access through CDM. It's going to be interesting this year when they can't produce a budget. Maybe this time folks'll get a little more than pi$$ed and clean the state capital. And to think that Kelifordnya is within the top 5 most powerful economies in the world.

 

[cruiserruf]

Hmmm, let's close access to OUR land because it might save .003% of our states F'd up budget. Oh, let's also forget about the unintended consequences of losing potential tax revenue that the host cities near the states parks now will not generate becuase of the closures. Last I understood, the tax revenue generated by the surrounding communities actually covered the cost of operation of state parks and pushed money back into the bucket.At least Crystal Cove still has beach access through CDM. It's going to be interesting this year when they can't produce a budget. Maybe this time folks'll get a little more than pi$$ed and clean the state capital. And to think that Kelifordnya is within the top 5 most powerful economies in the world.

i think its number 8