A bill that would guarantee the future of California’s popular State Library Parks Pass program is drawing criticism from the state Legislature’s nonpartisan budget watchdog.
The program allows people to check out free passes — which waive the day-use parking fee at over 200 California state parks — from their local libraries. Roughly 33,000 passes are available statewide. It was created in 2021 and has been funded through temporary spending, including a $7 million proposal this year..
But the California Legislative Analyst’s Office is urging lawmakers to reject the proposal as the state faces a projected $18 billion budget shortfall.
Analyst Brian Metzker with the LAO told lawmakers during a recent budget hearing they should avoid new spending proposals unless they target critical state needs.
“We find that this proposal does not clear that bar,” Metzker said.
Some lawmakers are also questioning the program. Democratic Assemblymember Steve Bennett of Ventura said during the hearing he needs more data on the increased maintenance costs it generates..
“I’m not hearing that this is essential,” he said.
He also expressed concerns about who ultimately benefits from the program.
“Should we be subsidizing higher-income people who just go, ‘Hey, one more way I can cut my cost for going to the park?’” Bennett asked.
However, survey data from the California Department of Parks and Recreation suggests most users — about 60% — reported annual household incomes below $60,000.
Democratic Assemblymember Gregg Hart, of Santa Barbara, authored the bill. He said state parks were a big part of his childhood.
“That was really the only way we could afford to go on vacation,” he said. “So I am personally really excited about the combination of using libraries, increasing access to libraries and increasing access to state parks at the same time.”
Hart said his goal is to codify the program into state law, but noted the legislation would not lock in a specific funding level. He also argued that the program’s $7 million cost is small when compared with California’s roughly $350 billion state budget, and that the reward is well worth the expense.
The proposal will be considered as lawmakers weigh spending priorities for the state budget in the coming months.
Public feedback
Nearly 1,200 libraries — including the Sacramento Public Library system — participate in the program. Community Engagement Services Manager Todd Deck said over 8,000 people checked out a state parks pass from the system last year alone.
“I would compare it to having a James Patterson or an Emily Henry book, but even more,” he said. “It’s something that people really do love and rely on.”
That means each of the library’s 1,425 passes was — on average — checked out nearly 6 times.
Deck noted the program started during the COVID-19 pandemic when libraries and parks were struggling to engage with their communities.
“It came at such an important time where it was just this new draw for people,” he added. “It really has also helped people see new areas of California that maybe they never would have without this accessibility for them.”
Collaboration has also increased between the state parks and libraries. Deck said that’s exemplified by joint efforts between the Sacramento library system and regional parks including bilingual bird watching, yoga in the park and accessibility hiking.
“We did hear from people that participated, particularly in the bilingual birdwatching, saying, ‘This was never accessible to me before. Thank you,’” Deck emphasized.
Deck said the program also introduces new visitors to both state parks and libraries.
“By diversifying access to parks, the usage is going to grow,” he said. “Their programs and offerings are going to deepen, and it also benefits libraries because it has people utilizing the library in a different way. And coming into our buildings to see all of the great stuff we have going on matters.”
Deck encouraged patrons to visit their local library branch because some passes must be checked out in person, which is a good way to get around the long waitlist.
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