Editorial: Want to keep parks open? Cut prison spending

If you need yet another example of how California's expanding prison system is killing other priorities, look at the state parks system. We've reached a point where Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, for the first time in the state's history, has proposed closing 48 state parks to help solve a $14.5 billion budget deficit.

This includes 17 parks (such as Tomales Bay), 17 historic parks and museums (including Sutter's Fort), three beaches, nine recreation areas (such as the Salton Sea) and two nature reserves (such as Armstrong Redwoods). The gates would close in 2009 and reopen "when the budget improves."

Just how much would this save the state? A paltry $13.3 million. And it would cost the state $3.7 million in fees that would have been collected if those parks were open, so the overall savings would be less than $10 million. By comparison, overtime pay for prison guards costs the state $500 million last year (up from from $53 million a decade ago).

Californians love their state parks and the governor appears in ads worldwide showcasing these crown jewels to draw visitors. Is saving less than $10 million worth shutting the parks? No. The governor and legislators need to find a way to keep them open.

Such a solution has to start with the real source of the state's budget troubles: prisons. Two decades ago, they took up 4 percent of the budget. Now it's 10 percent – and the proportion is still growing. Prisons are driving out every other priority. State parks are just one example, but a telling one.

• Over the last 20 years, parks have relied more and more on visitor fees. In the 2001-2002 year, visitor fees funded 31.1 percent of state park operating costs. By 2006-2007, that had jumped to 50.4 percent.

• The parks have deferred maintenance on roads, campgrounds, buildings and trails, so that there's a huge backlog. The parks need about $117 million a year for maintenance but have been getting only about $67 million – creating an annual shortfall of $50 million that has turned into a backlog of $1.2 billion.

• Staffing levels have been reduced to minimal levels, which means fewer interpretive/education programs and land stewardship efforts.

Some have suggested that the parks should simply raise fees. But the state has been there and done that – three times between 2002 and 2004. And as fees have gone up, attendance has gone down. Department of Finance Director Mike Genest told The Bee editorial board that further fee increases would lose the state more revenues than it would gain.

In any case, we should not make state parks inaccessible to families who cannot afford other forms of recreation and entertainment. California's great natural and historic heritage – spread throughout 84 parks, 64 beaches, 50 historic parks and museums, 32 recreation areas and 17 nature reserves – belongs to all of the state's residents. Our parks should be open to all Californians – not just those with lots of disposable income.

Schwarzenegger told The Bee editorial board that his budget was just a "proposal" to stimulate creativity and conversation, that "nothing is going to be closed." And legislators, so far, have shown little stomach for closing parks. A good place for the governor and legislators to start serious conversation should be on reducing state prison costs, starting with overtime.