closure of many of CA's state parks (1 Viewer)

loopybunny

novice birder

• May 31, 2009

• #1

I caught this in yesterday's Modesto Bee.

Governor puts parks on hit list - http://www.modbee.com/featured/story/723641.html

Up to 220 state parks are facing closure and many of them are great birding spots.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• May 31, 2009

• #2

Yes, I read about this yesterday and decided I was very glad I was not living in CA. So sad.

 

M

macshark

Electron Chaser

• Jun 3, 2009

• #3

Looks like charging an extra $1 per user or finding a couple of corporate sponsors for each park would almost cover the cost of running these parks, so this is more of a political issue rather than a financial issue.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jun 3, 2009

• #4

Well the Governor just announced he's not running for a third term.

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Jun 3, 2009

• #5

Don't worry, they will reopen. Calif will be bailed out soon---by the rest of us!
Bob

 

gvca1

Well-known member

• Jun 4, 2009

• #6

Not likely! California usually spends far more in federal taxes than come back to the state. As of 2005, CA ranked 43rd, getting back 78 cents for every dollar of federal taxes.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/266.html


But yes, it's a shame, and I agree with MacShark, that it's a political move more than a practical one.

 

danysloan

Well-known member

• Jun 8, 2009

• #7

This reminds me of a proposal in Philly a few years ago. SEPTA was low on money, so they threatened to scale back public transit to only business hours on M-F. Public outcry was immense and they got their money at the last minute.

Perhaps this is a similar tactic -- put a crazy cut like this on the table so the outcry is so great that the state will get their money any way possible.

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Jun 8, 2009

• #8

SEPTA still needs money. They thought they would get it by privatizing the Turnpike but the buyer, from Spain, backed out. Economy was the excuse. There is still talk of turning Interstate 80 into a toll road.

Most States have financial woes now.
Bob

 

danysloan

Well-known member

• Jun 8, 2009

• #9

ceasar said:

SEPTA still needs money. They thought they would get it by privatizing the Turnpike but the buyer, from Spain, backed out. Economy was the excuse. There is still talk of turning Interstate 80 into a toll road.

Most States have financial woes now.
Bob

Click to expand...

They should turn 80 into a toll road. I am glad to pay taxes or tolls when the money is being used for useful things, and supporting SEPTA is quite useful. If I were still a resident in PA, I'd be glad to pay more for this.

And yes, I am well aware that most states have financial problems -- it's hard to escape that news.

 

E

edwincjones

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2009

• #10

I am considering a trip to CA-maybe not.

edj

 

danysloan

Well-known member

• Jul 14, 2009

• #11

edwincjones said:

I am considering a trip to CA-maybe not.

edj

Click to expand...

There are still more than enough reasons to bird here. As much as I love and support CA's system of state parks, I often find myself birding elsewhere.

 

Killdeer_Chick

Ka-yute!

• May 30, 2010

• #12

Anza Borrego is still open every day and all year around, though the visitor's center is closed more than it used to. So far, there are no extra charges for "free areas" in the park, though I think camping fees went up a little.

It's too hot now to do any good birding there, except near the springs.