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Support the State Park Access Pass!
On Monday, June 15th, the Budget Conference Committee voted to eliminate $70 million in General Fund support for the state park system for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. As an additional action, the committee also voted to adopt the State Park Access Pass and develop a dedicated funding source to keep California's state parks open. The State Park Access Pass would institute a $15 surcharge on vehicle license fees of non-commercial vehicles, in order to provide Californians with free day-use access to state parks, and generate much-needed revenues for the state park system.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Help Save Our State Parks
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As a strong supporter of the state park system, I urge you to support the Budget Conference Committee's action to keep our state parks open and enact the State Park Access Pass.
The State Park Access Pass is a commonsense measure that allows Californians to make a modest annual investment in their state parks, but receive a great return. By paying $15 annually on vehicle license fees, Californians will receive free day-use access to the state park system.
The SPAP also allows California to keep open a resource that provides enormous financial benefit to the state. At a time when the state desperately needs to generate revenues for many other critical state services, it makes sense to keep state parks open and available for the public. A recent report by California State University, Sacramento found that park users, on average, spent $57.63 per visit. Across the system, this amounts to a more than $4.2 billion in positive economic impacts; impacts that would be lost if state parks are closed under the Governor's May Revise proposal.
In addition to the overall economic impacts, instituting the State Park Access Pass provides the state an annual General Fund savings of over $140 million annually. This revenue can be redirected into other programs and services that are also facing dire cuts.
The State Park Access Pass is a true win-win for the state, and I urge you to support its passage.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
June 15, 2009
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