California State Parks Budget Crisis Threatens Mountain Bike Access/Park Closures

[granny ring]

Always remember in Government speak that a "cut in funding" usually means they are getting less of an increase in funding then they were originally allocated. There are never government programs that actually gets less money than the year before.

As far as public schools go don't get me started. I send my kids to private school since the local public school, which I pay for but don't use, teaches half their classes in Spanish.
Also, how come my private tuition is less than half of what the dept. of education claims they spend per student????

[Abui]

Originally Posted by dirtvert

hey: no fair cut-and-pasting from the bible...

seriously, you can find numbers to support both sides. it's a complicated issue that neither major party really has a plan to improve. every time the economy takes a dip, minorities get blamed. our immigration policies in the past, including reagan's amnesty, have only encouraged people to come here undocumented. to now make them all out to be criminals (they actually commit crimes at a lower rate than the general populaton) shows a complete lack of compassion and is equivalent to economic slavery. as the richest country in the universe and one based on judeo-christian principles, we should be able to figure this one out without acting like fascists.

btw- save trestles.

One based on judeo-christian principles? You must not belong to the ACLU.

This pro-immigration catch-phrase makes me ill "work and pay taxes." Sure - work for cash and pay no taxes but file to collect tax credits. (Welfare via the IRS)

I have figured it out. Punish employers, stop welfare, close Section 8 housing, and those who don't like it can self-deport.

[dirtvert]

even according to bush's economists, undocumented workers have paid billions of taxes into social security alone, most of which will never be claimed by them.

and where i teach, south l.a. (2/3's hispanic), we teach in english. and by 4th grade most of the hispanic kids have surpassed the native speakers.

and the aclu is the only group keeping bush from shredding the constitution.
somebody has to watch out for the government...

save trestles.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by dirtvert

even according to bush's economists, undocumented workers have paid billions of taxes into social security alone, most of which will never be claimed by them.

and where i teach, south l.a. (2/3's hispanic), we teach in english. and by 4th grade most of the hispanic kids have surpassed the native speakers.

and the aclu is the only group keeping bush from shredding the constitution.
somebody has to watch out for the government...

save trestles.

It would be a understatement to say Bush has had poor intelligence.

ACLU says separate church and state. Judeo-Christian etchics which you defer to are not part of the Constitution.

What fraction of your students are not native speakers (2/3?).

[sdyeti]

To chime in...I teach in Chula Vista. ~2/3 of my students are/were "English learners".

Originally Posted by Caveman

What fraction of your students are not native speakers (2/3?).

[dirtvert]

i'm all for separating church and state. i was just trying to point out that our national morals have a historical basis in taking care of poor/underprivileged people, regardless of their country of origin.

12 of my 20 students are hispanic. 9 of them are reading above the grade-level benchmark (14 overall), including the one that is in the "second language" program.

[chadster]

Getting back on topic - if people want to do something to help lobby against closing 17% of our State Park system, the California Parks Association has been a champion of our park system for over a decade. Now more than ever they need our help and you can do your part by becoming a member, donating money or simply volunteering your time. We can make a difference, all it takes is a strong enough voice and the Govenator will listen and relent. Please join the cause.

http://www.calparks.org/

[Evel Knievel]

yyyyyy

[Cowgirl]

I recieved this today and thought I would share it:

In yesterday's e-newsletter, we discussed drastic budget cuts proposed
for State Parks. Page 109 of the budget has a map showing which parks
are slated to close and where reductions in lifeguard services are
proposed:

http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/BudgetSummary/FullBudgetSummary.pdf
(Source: KPBS)

Yesterday, the governor told the Sacramento Bee that he expects state
lawmakers to find some way to keep the parks open, possibly by raising
fees.

Parks plan intended to 'rattle the cage'

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday he proposed closing 48 state
parks to "rattle the cage" at the Capitol but fully expects lawmakers
to come forward with alternatives – including higher fees – to keep
parks open.
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/641091.html

For more information on this issue, log onto the California State Parks
Foundation website. The Foundation's press release concerning the
budget cuts is posted at:
http://www.calparks.org/press/2008/california-state-parks-foundation-statement-on-state-park-closures-in-governor-s-fy08-09-budget.html

Steven Aceti, JD
Executive Director
California Coastal Coalition
1133 Second Street
Suite G
Encinitas, CA 92024

(760) 612-3564 cell
(760) 944-3564 office
(760) 944-7852 fax

[lukewiens]

topanga and mt. san jacinto.....hmmm, thats a bummer.

[sheclimbs]

Governor Schwarzenegger's plan to combat California's projected budget crisis includes across-the-board program reductions, including many cuts to the state parks department. The new proposal would close 48 parks, including popular destinations like Henry Coe and Topanga Canyon.

California State Parks has been victim to several significant budget reductions in past years and the new plan would seriously imperil the agency's ability to serve Californians, including more than five million mountain bikers.

Take Action!

Tell the Governor and your state legislators that these proposed closures are unacceptable.

https://secure2.convio.net/imba/site...wdz6xw3.app14a

[sir crashalot]

signed

[KeepsWhatHappens]

signed

KeepsWhatHappens

[Permagrin]

Done. Thanks for the info.

[foofighter]

done

[bajamtnbkr]

Done!

[CPATCRASH]

Fini!

[BrewMaster]

Signed.

Realistically, we shouldn't be spending money we don't have, so if state revenues decrease, we have to cut somewhere. Every program has a good argument on why it shouldn't be cut, but something's gotta give. Pick your favorites, be they education, public safety, roads, state parks, health care, et al, something is going to lose and someone is going to be pissed.

[brparts]

Done