View source for Props 2010/21/

PROPOSITION 21 -- SURCHARGE FOR PARKS
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''Establishes $18 annual state vehicle license surcharge to be used solely to operate, maintain, and repair the state park system, and protect wildlife and natural resources.  Grants free admission to all state parks to vehicles paying the surcharge.  Exempts commercial vehicles, trailers, and trailer coaches.  Major funding support provided by Sempervirens Fund (redwoods protection group), Peninsula Open Space Trust, Conservation Action Fund, Save the Redwoods League, National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, California State Parks Foundation, and Wildlands Support Fund.''
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== Argument ==
From Lindsay Vurek:
 
 
Proposition 21 -- Yes, with reservations 

Proposition 21 (Initiative Statute): The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act

Establishes $18 Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to Help Fund State Parks and Wildlife Programs and Grants Free Admission to All State Parks to Surcharged Vehicles.

In principal the Green Party is not for flat type taxes since they tend to affect the poor disproportionally more than the rich.  In this particular case, the tax is modest and on cars, which are a major source of environmental degradation and the tax revenues are used for the preservation of the natural environment.  An important value of the Green Party is protection of the natural environment, so this tax fits well within that value.  However, we also have another reservation in that we dislike special dedicated "carve out" taxes.  Unfortunately though, California's budget crisis and taxation system is not going to be fixed this year, so in order to provide needed funding to the parks system, we endorse Prop. 21, with reservations.

Details of the Proposition 21:

Establishes an $18 annual state vehicle license surcharge and grants free admission to all state parks to surcharged vehicles. Requires deposit of surcharge revenue in a new trust fund. Requires that trust funds be used solely to operate, maintain and repair the state park system, and to protect wildlife and natural resources. Exempts commercial vehicles, trailers and trailer coaches from the surcharge. Requires annual independent audit and review by citizen's oversight committee. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Increased state revenues of about $500 million annually from the imposition of a surcharge on the VLF to be used mainly to fund state parks and wildlife conservation programs. Potential state savings of up to approximately $200 million annually to the extent that the VLF surcharge revenues were used to reduce support from the General Fund and other special funds for parks and wildlife conservation programs. Reduction of about $50 million annually in state and local revenues from state park day-use fees. These revenue losses could potentially be offset by increases in other types of state park user fees and revenues.

see http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures.htm for full text

== Recommended Position ==
Yes with reservations