When voters go to the polls this November, they’ll be voting on Proposition 21, which proposes a new $18 tax/registration fee for most vehicle registrations. About 85 percent of the money , about $1 billion every two years, would go toward funding state parks. This would be especially beneficial to county residents.
When voters go to the polls this November, they’ll be voting on Proposition 21, which proposes a new $18 tax/registration fee for most vehicle registrations. About 85 percent of the money , about $1 billion every two years, would go toward funding state parks. This would free up the $130 currently budgeted for state parks, cover the increasing costs of park maintenance, and redirect existing park funds to the state’s overburdened general fund.
This would be especially beneficial to county residents. After all, state parks in Santa Cruz outnumber cities and towns by four to one. The money would be used to make improvements to local parks, thereby boosting tourism revenues, and improve fire protections for neighborhoods that abut the parks. It would also provide free parking in the parks for local visitors.
There are however, several prominent opponents to the measure, among them Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado. He questions whether, “it’s right to charge $18 to people who own cars that don’t use the parks.” Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman also opposes the measure, as do several anti-tax groups. On the other hand, the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce is supportive, saying that it would be a boon to local tourism. State parks currently generate about $600 million in economic activity annually, and this could increase if the necessary improvements are made to park infrastructures. Funding could also be used to hire additional rangers, many of whom have been let off over the past few years.
While Prop 21 may not be as popular in heavily urban areas like Los Angeles, it could provide a major boost to Santa Cruz.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_16223435
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