SACRAMENTO, CA– The campaign supporting Prop. 21, the November 2 statewide ballot measure that will provide a stable and adequate funding source for state parks and beaches, has announced receiving endorsements from more than 700 diverse organizations throughout California, making Proposition 21 one of the most widely supported measures of any of the nearly 20 November ballot measure campaigns.
Among the varied interests supporting Prop. 21 are groups representing the business, travel and tourism, seniors, public health, education, labor, entertainment, public safety, faith, Latino, African American, social justice, local government, outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental communities. Additionally, Proposition 21 has been endorsed by major newspapers throughout California, including the Los Angeles Daily News, The Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News, The Bakersfield Californian, The Fresno Bee, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, The Ventura County Star, The Monterey County Herald and many more.
"This unprecedented level of support for Proposition 21 is a testament to the value and importance of state parks to virtually every sector in California," said Mike Sweeney, executive director of The Nature Conservancy California. "Proposition 21 is the only credible solution to protecting our state parks from further devastation at the hands of Sacramento politicians. On Nov. 2, please join us in voting Yes on Proposition 21 and ensuring our children and grandchildren get to see the beauty and splendor of California’s state parks."
In addition to the support of more than 700 organizations, support for Proposition 21 has also been fueled by a strong grassroots and netroots movement of Californians. Unlike traditional campaigns, the Yes on Proposition 21 campaign has used a number of innovative online tools to engage real Californians to help build support for and ultimately win passage of Proposition 21. Most recently, the campaign launched an effort that puts real Californians in the campaign driver’s seat and allow them to create campaign videos to help promote Proposition 21 virally. The Yes on Proposition 21 campaign is the only campaign to give its supporters this sort of opportunity this election. Currently, the top 21 videos from the contest are being viewed and voted on by the public. To see the videos and vote, please click here.
"More than 760,000 Californians put Prop. 21 on the ballot, and we wanted to make sure that these Californians had the opportunity to tell their stories and share why Proposition 21 is critical to the future of California," said Ruskin Hartley, executive director of Save the Redwoods League.
"We think that the innovative opportunities we’ve provided have allowed our supporters to come together, amplify their voices and share an important message about why California needs Proposition 21."
Decades of chronic funding cuts to California’s state parks has caused them to accumulate a $1.3 billion backlog in needed maintenance and repairs. Twice in the past two years, state parks were on the brink of being shut down. Last year, nearly 150 state parks were shut down part-time or suffered deep service reductions because of budget cuts, and more park closure proposals and budget cuts are expected this year.
Approval of Prop. 21 will provide California vehicles with free, year-round day-use access to state parks and beaches, in exchange for a new $18 surcharge. Funds from the surcharge will be placed in a trust fund dedicated specifically to state parks and wildlife conservation, which cannot legally be used for other purposes.
A full list of supporters can be found at Yes For State Parks.
