A proposal on November’s ballot would add $18 per year to California motorist’s all ready high registration fees.
You can call it a “fee” if you like but it is just another “tax” being forced upon all for the benefit of a few.
I am a park user and love our state parks. California has some of the most beautiful and interesting parks in the nation. The parks are used by many – try to get a reservation and you will see what I mean. There is also a $1.2 billion dollar backlog of maintenance for roads, decaying campgrounds and museums. The current number of rangers, workers and staff members is nearly identical to the number we had 20 years ago despite the obvious increase in visitors. We do need money for our parks.
But it is inherently wrong to tax all Californians for the benefit of a few. The proposal provides for free admission to all state parks by California residents. Do you think there would be a great increase of people using the parks? I don’t – not a great enough increase to rationalize a new tax for the good of all. Of course, most if not all, of the “green”, “save”, “friends”, “travel”, and “environmental” groups or trusts or bureaus and clubs support the measure. The common theme among them all is the blinder’s on, tunnel vision view that my cause is the best and it is worthy of taking money from all for the pleasure of some.
Most definitely we need to fund the state parks but not with unfair taxes on our citizens. Raise user fees, charge more for out-of-state visitors, deputize camp hosts so rangers can be used else where. Put teenagers to work in the kiosks and cleaning efforts. Allow vendors to set up small shops at the parks with ice, wood, bug spray, etc. and charge the vendor a modest fee. Note: local vendor not some big corporation, teenagers enrolled in a local school with passing grades not some union effort.
Tags: California State Parks
