the State Parks Initiative Prop 21

[curmugeon]

There is a proposition on the ballot that would remove state parks fro the budget projects and add an $18 fee to vehice registrations to fund the state parks system. This is an outgrowth of our broken government. As a result of this added fee, all non-commercial vehicles would get free day use of all state parks. I wrote the Auto Club to ask them to endorse this and the following is the reply. From the letter it seems the membership needs to be more vocal and let the directors know they should support this.

Here is there reply:

Thank you for your email about Proposition 21, which would impose an additional $18 annual vehicle license surcharge on nearly all California registered vehicles starting January 2011 to fund state parks and other programs. The Auto Club does not currently have a position on this measure.

The Auto Club strongly supports state parks and has featured them in Westways magazine and through travel and tourism promotions. California state parks are a valuable resource that should be adequately funded and maintained.

The Auto Club is evaluating this proposal carefully because it seeks to bypass California's budget process and raise $500 million per year entirely from motorists, whether or not they visit the parks (and the majority of them do not). California already assesses among the highest fees in the country to register and license a vehicle - for most people, the proposed $18 fee would result in registration costs that exceed $100 per year. Vehicle license fees add substantially more. This tax increase would come at a time of high unemployment in California. These issues, as well as the views expressed in your email, will be considered in our evaluation.

Thank you for sharing your opinion with us.



-----Original Message-----
From: California State Parks Foundation [mailto:members@calparks.org] On Behalf Of Alan Stanley
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 7:24 PM
To: RoadAhead
Subject: Please support Prop 21


Jul 27, 2010

Mr. Thomas McKernan
CEO of the Automobile Club (AAA) of Southern California

Dear Mr. McKernan,

I am a current member/customer of the Automobile Club of Southern
California and a strong supporter of California's state parks. I am
writing to urge AAA of Southern California to officially support Prop
21 - the California State Parks Initiative that will appear on the
November 2010 ballot. More than 300 organizations, representing
millions of Californians, have already endorsed this important
initiative. Our state parks and beaches are in peril, suffering from
chronic underfunding and Sacramento's budget roller coaster. Prop 21 is
a reasonable and responsible way to provide a dedicated funding source
for state parks. California vehicles will now get free day-use
admission to state parks and beaches in exchange for a new $18 fee on
their annual car registration. That's a small price to pay for an
important legacy. Beyond encouraging residents to enjoy our state parks
more often, this initiative will preserve these beautiful places for
future generations.

AAA regularly features California's state parks in its publication,
Westways, and trips to state parks are among the most popular vacation
destinations of all Californians. Supporting state parks is a cause we
can all support, and I strongly urge you and the Board of AAA of
Southern California to join the statewide movement in supporting Prop
21.

Sincerely,

Comments

[cathy-edgett.livejournal.com]

Good for you and shame on AAA. Anyone who pays the exorbitant price for a AAA membership should be able to afford $18.00 a year to save parks so they would be preaching to an audience that could afford $1.50 per month. Also anyone who drives is paying for gas and insurance so again should be able to come up with $18.00 a year. AAA just doesn't want to rock any boats that might affect how they support themselves. Also, who needs free state parks more than the unemployed? They are sanity savers.