State Parks Access Pass

State Parks are funded annually with $150 million from the General Fund but need an additional $240 million to operate at a successful program level and reduce the deferred maintenance backlog.

A $10 annual surcharge called the "State Park Access Pass" would be assessed on all vehicles except trailers and those commercial vehicles subject to the CVRA fee. In exchange, all California registered vehicles would get free day use access to state parks. This fee would raise approximately $282 million in revenue and would provide funds for the following:

• 40 million to backfill loss of entrance fees at gate receipts
• $120 million increase for maintenance
• $60 million increase for operations and public safety
• $62 million to reduce deferred maintenance deficit – may be bonded against

Take Action

Press Releases

May 28, 2008 - Laird State Parks Plan Proposes Full Funding, Free Access

May 28, 2008 - Parks Funding Plan Approved by Budget Subcommittee

Press Coverage

August 13, 2008 - Half Moon Bay Review: Parks maintenance ignored, unfunded

July 22, 2008 - Modesto Bee: Op-ed by Bruce McPherson: Park fee proposal would be a good deal for Californians

July 1, 2008 - The Valley Post: Laird Plan Would Make State License Plate a Park Pass

June 26, 2008 - Sherman Oaks Sun: Los Encinos Park faces closure

June 18, 2008 - Fresno Bee: Editorial: Adding $10 to vehicle license fee would end neglect of our state parks

June 18, 2008 - Merced Sun-Star: Our View: Pricier plates may aid parks

June 18, 2008 - Watsonville Register-Pajaronian: State parks cope with cuts

June 17, 2008 - Sacramento Bee Editorial: Legislature should approve Laird plan to help parks

June 8, 2008 - John Laird: Parks Access Pass: A winning solution during the budget crisis

June 8, 2008 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: As We See It: the $10 solution -- Boost in vehicle license fees could save state parks

June 4, 2008 - Metro Santa Cruz: Nuz: Laird's Parks Tax

June 3, 2008 - Contra Costa Times: Editorial: Surcharge could be good deal for parks

June 3, 2008 - California Progress Report: Op-Ed: California State Parks Budget Proposal is a Win-Win for Everyone

May 30, 2008 - Monterey County Herald: Park Plan Eliminates Day Fees

May 29, 2008 - KPBS, San Diego: New Fee Proposed to Maintain State Parks

May 29, 2008 - Eureka Times-Standard: Assembly pitches parks protection proposal

May 29, 2008 - Monterey County Weekly: Vehicle registration surcharge would allow free public access

May 29, 2008 - Vacaville Reporter: Editorial: Paying for parks: Staying open isn't enough

May 29, 2008 - San Jose Mercury News Editorial: Laird's DMV fee to support parks is very tempting

May 28, 2008: KTVU/Ch.2, 6PM News (2:33)

May 28, 2008: KABC/Ch.7 (:45)

May 28, 2008 - San Jose Mercury News: Could $10 DMV fee pay for state parks?

May 28, 2008 - San Diego Union-Tribune Newsblog: A year of park day-passes for $10?

Links

California State Parks Foundation

Friends of Santa Cruz County State Parks