OCTOBER 15, 2010
HOMECOMING
SPECIAL EDITION
FRESNO STATE
SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922
Proposed fee to pay for state parks THE EFFECTS OF PROPOSITION 21
PROP
21
No
The funding will be generated through an increase of annual vehicle registration fees. An additional $18 surcharge will be added to the amount due for car owners.
Yes
A YES vote on Proposition 21 would provide increased funding for California State Parks.
The added revenue will ensure that state parks remain in good condition.
Source: Official Voter Information Guide
By Ana Mendoza The Collegian On November 2, California vo t e r s w i l l we i g h i n o n Proposition 21, which proposes to increase funding towards state parks by increasing annual vehicle registration fees by $18 and would permit all California vehicles free entry and parking to all 278
Infographic by Michael Uribes / The Collegian
state parks, 16 of which are located in the Central Valley. Proposition 21 is seen by many as the way to save our state parks from underfunding. Some however, think it is just a new scam to increase taxes. According to the California De par tment of Parks and Recreation, parks in California not only conserve
625 miles of lakes and rivers, it also preserves 280 miles of coastlines, fragile deserts, underwater reserves and other nature focused parks. These parks not only conserve nature, they also protect ancient Native American sites, historic structures and artifacts. The CDPR also said that Califor nia holds “the larg-
est and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation.” Dr. Stephen Lewis, faculty chair of the earth and environmental sciences department at Fresno State, predicts some adverse effects on state parks if Prop 21 does not pass. “They would reduce staffing, which means mainte-
nance and care taking would be reduced,” said Lewis. “The state park system will continue its decline.” Lewis emphasized that state parks in California are very beautiful and unique. “T his is why they are selected as state parks—they are special regions and if they are lost, they are lost forever.” According to the Official Voter Information Guide, if Proposition 21 is passed, the state will receive an estimated $250 million more in annual revenues. The parks currently use $400 million a year to keep the parks maintained. The money that is left over will be used to increase nature conservation, such as marine life. Because the money used by state parks is currently taken from Califor nia’s General Fund, if the proposition passes $200 million would be saved from the general fund, which will then be used to support other state programs. Some students believe that during the current economic situation, it might not be a good idea to increase vehicle registration fees. “It might not be good for people that are struggling and See PARKS, Page 3
Student lives on the streets By Megan Morales The Collegian On an average day in Fresno it is not uncommon to come by a handful of homeless people panhandling on the medians of the city’s busy streets and to disregard their plight. But for former Fresno State graduate Chris Ballard, experienced the unthinkable—he willingly became temporarily homeless so that he could fully experience and comprehend the problem. For lack of a better word, there are plenty of “normal” homeless people, he said.
“Due to the recent economic downturns spurred by the subprime lending crisis, everyday, average Americans, who were one paycheck away from going homeless, found themselves living on the streets,” Ballard said. Many homeless people may not have roofs over their heads, Ballard said, but it doesn’t necessarily rule out the prospects of them having money in their pockets. Some of the people living on the streets have discretionary funds, but not enough to pay rent or mortgage. See STREETS, Page 3 Megan Morales / The Collegian