I haven’t really discussed this very often, and maybe it isn’t the most critical item on the ballot this year, but Prop 21 has a special place in my heart.  Here’s what we said about it in our Endorsements:

Prop 21: YES This is as sensible a ballot proposition as we’ve ever seen. It increases the vehicle license fee by a mere $18/year, and in return Californians get to protect and improve their state parks, ensuring they remain open and that the maintenance backlog is finally address – as well as giving all Californians access to all state parks and beaches free of charge. Some people whine about “ballot box budgeting” but here’s the problem: as long as the 2/3rds rule exists for budget and taxes, the legislature will remain incapable of producing good budgets, and voters will have to step in from time to time to protect our priorities. Further, Prop 21 actually helps the general fund by freeing up hundreds of millions of dollars each year to fund other programs, since the state parks will now have their own funding source. This is also a smart way to show Californians that spending money for public services is a good idea, since they’ll get to see and enjoy the fruits of their $18/year VLF increase. Prop 21 deserves your yes vote.

I’ve been pretty much in love with our state parks system since the moment I set foot in the state.  I first spent a summer in Orange County while in law school, and I made it a point to visit as many of the local state beaches as possible.  I’ve done the same in Northern California.  Last year we drove both north and south along the coast with our dogs.  Our pugs experienced the pure joy they only seem to get from a trip to the beach, on the coast at spots from Malibu to Pismo Beach, Santa Cruz to Mendocino.  And I have always loved the mountains.  It is really hard to beat a hike in the foothills with the Sierras looming over you.  Well, looking down from the Sierras isn’t too bad either.

Only these days it is getting kind of sad.  Strewn across the parks are signs for campsites saying they are closed due to budgetary constraints, and restrooms with no service.  California is the most beautiful place in the world, and we are taking that away from our children, and from our selves.  With each cut, with each minor closure, we shut ourselves off from what Mother Nature has bestowed upon us.  Surely I’m not the only one who came here precisely because California is so beautiful.

And Prop 21 gives us more than just a chance to prop up our state park system for the long haul, which it will do, but it also opens up the door to millions of additional visitors.  While Californians had already paid for the state parks, there is no better way to take ownership of them than by supporting Prop 21.  Ballot box budgeting isn’t a great thing in the abstract, and it would be amazing if we could get beyond that.  But in the real world, we have a few opportunities to raise revenue for things that are important to all Californians.  

I hope we can come together tomorrow to tell those who say that we must cut back, that no, Californians understand that some things have more value than just a few bucks on a tax bill. And for me, our state parks are a gift that we should not surrender so lightly.

Please join me by voting Yes on Prop 21.