The legislative session is in full gear and over 2,500 bills addressing issues from privacy to fire prevention have just been introduced. As we review these bills and craft our legislative priorities for this year, we anticipate working with several key players who have championed parks before. Meet some of our elected officials with a track record of authoring legislation that ensuresadequate and sustainable park funding and expands access so all Californians can positively experience state parks:
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Senator Ben Allen, (D – 26) Senator Allen’s bill to help keep our parks and beaches clean was signed at the end of the last legislative session, and in 2017 he authored legislation to ensure the State of California has right of first refusal on any federally-owned public lands, ensuring visitors can continue to enjoy these special places. State parks in district: Dockweiler State Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State Beach, Will Rogers State Historic Park |
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Senator Mike McGuire (D – 2) With 60 parks in senate district 2, Senator McGuire has more than any other State Senator. Last year, he helped honor our 2018 Grassroots Champion John Roney for his commitment to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. State parks in district: China Camp State Park, Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area, Trione-Annadel State Park and 57 others |
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SpeakerAnthony Rendon (D – 63) Speaker Rendon, previously Chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, has authored important parks legislation and was a proud supporter of Proposition 68. State parks in district: none |
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Assemblymember David Chiu (D – 17) A champion for Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, Assemblymember Chiu lives in the next neighborhood over. He spoke at a ribbon cutting last summer to celebrate new campsites in the park, only the second campground in the entire city and county of San Francisco. State parks in district: Angel Island State Park, Candlestick Point State Recreation Area |
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Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D - 51) Elected in a special session in 2017, Assemblymember Carrillo quickly emerged as a strong supporter of state parks and connecting Californians to them. She introduced legislation to increase outdoor experiences for Californian youth and ensure safe access for bicyclists and pedestrians to parks. Last year, she spoke at our Park Advocacy Day. State parks in district: Los Angeles State Historic Park, Rio de Los Angeles State Park |
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Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D - 56) Our 2017 Legacy Award honoree, Assemblymember Garcia contributed heavily to passing Proposition 68 and served as Chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, and continues that leadership position in 2019. In 2018 he authored a package of parks legislation that included establishing the Office of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation, supporting activities that promote economic development and job growth of the outdoor recreation economy in California. State parks in district: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Picacho State Recreation Area, Salton Sea State Recreation Area and 3 others |
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Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D - 80) Our 2018 Legacy award honoree, Assemblymember Gonzalez Fletcher was the first Latina to chair the Assembly Appropriations Committee in 2017-18. She has been a leader addressing coastal access barriers by expanding the availability of low-cost overnight accommodations along the state’s 1,100 miles of coastline. State parks in district: Border Field State Park |
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Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – 37) Assemblymember Limón authored legislation to increase the ability of under-served and at-risk communities to participate in outdoor environmental educational experiences at state parks and other public lands. State parks in district: Carpinteria State Beach, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, Gaviota State Park and 8 others |