Prop. 21 Would Fund California Parks

August 12, 2010

NTA endorses Proposition 21, the Nov. 2 statewide ballot measure that will provide a stable and adequate funding source for California’s state parks and beaches, which attract 80 million visits each year. A recent study by California State University Sacramento found that state park visitors spend an average of $57.63 in neighboring communities each time they visit a state park or beach. Annually, state park tourists spend $4.32 billion in park-related expenditures. In fact, state park and beach visitors generate so much local economic activity that every dollar spent on state parks creates another $2.35 for the state treasury.

Approval of Prop. 21 will provide California vehicles with free, year-round day-use access to state parks and beaches, in exchange for a new $18 surcharge. This new surcharge will be assessed as part of California’s annual vehicle registration. All California vehicles will be subject to the surcharge, except larger commercial vehicles, mobile homes and permanent trailers. Funds from the surcharge will be placed in a trust fund dedicated specifically to state parks and wildlife conservation, which cannot legally be used for other purposes.

Supporters of  Prop. 21 include The Nature Conservancy, California Teachers Association, California Nurses Association, Public Health Institute, California Travel Industry Association, California Labor Federation, California Alliance for Retired Americans, AFSCME Califonia PEOPLE, Sierra Club California, Audubon California, California State Lifeguard Association, California Lodging Industry Association, Latino Health Access, California State Conference of the NAACP and the California State Parks Foundation.

 Click here to see the Prop. 21 fact sheet.

Read more about Prop. 21 at http://www.yesforstateparks.com/.