And this from the man who proclaimed July 27, 2007, as ?EUR??,,????'??California State Park Ranger Day.?EUR??,,????'?? (Note: This is not a political comment. We just think it is an amusing, ironic twist.)

In his Park Ranger Day proclamation the governor noted the state is blessed with a ?EUR??,,????'??fantastic state park system, containing more than 270 natural places and cultural heritage sites. Thanks to our dedicated state park rangers and support personnel, our parks?EUR??,,????'??? beauty and safety are enjoyed every year by 76 million visitors from California and all over the world.?EUR??,,????'??

Last year the state lawmakers and the governor set aside $250 million to begin cutting into the $900 million state park maintenance backlog. The backlog is now $1.2 billion.
State park staffing is already at what most would consider minimal levels, but the proposed cut would eliminate another 136 state park system employees, while lowering the deficit by only one-tenth of one percent.

Sierra Club California, among other groups, is contacting legislators and working with them to oppose closure of any state parks.

It?EUR??,,????'???s reported that Mr. Schwarzenegger told The Sacramento Bee editorial board this is just a budget proposal to stimulate ideas and conversation and that nothing is going to be closed. Revision to the state budget are submitted in May.
Well, his proposal has certainly got the conversation started. Some internet chat blames illegal aliens for ?EUR??,,????'??sucking dry?EUR??,,????'?? California tax payers. Some suggest that closing the state legislature and capital offices would greatly benefit the budget. Some point to California?EUR??,,????'???s bloated prison system, which gobbles up 10 percent of the state?EUR??,,????'???s budget.

The parks rely heavily on visitor fees. The fees fund about half the state park operating costs. Raising park fees, which was tried between 2002 and 2004, only managed to lower attendance and revenues.