Five Republicans and five Democrats stood amidst trees and a pond outside the State Capitol. GOP Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen says Californians want their state parks to remain open:
Olsen: "There are solutions. They are out there. And they're not that difficult. But it requires innovation. It requires creativity. And it requires a willingness to work together and to find a way to get it done."
Those "solutions" include the creation of state park license plates … and using voter-approved park and water bonds to modernize parks' fee collection systems. The measure would also let taxpayers send some of their refunds to a special fund in exchange for year-long state parks passes.
Two Senate Democrats are working on a separate parks proposal. Any changes would require the approval of Governor Jerry Brown - who called for the closure of 70 parks in last year's budget.
