California budget cuts put Library Parks Pass at risk

Driving the news: The state Legislature announced a 2025-26 budget agreement this week that eliminates $6.75 million for the California State Library Parks Pass.

• The program will end in December unless funding is restored.

How it works: Residents with a library card can check out a vehicle day-use pass at local branches to visit more than 200 state parks and beaches, where parking can cost $10-$25.

• In San Diego County, that ranges from the Anza-Borrego Desert and Torrey Pines to Silver Strand, Cardiff, San Elijo and Carlsbad beaches, among others.

Between the lines: The equity-focused program was created in 2021 along with two others, the California State Park Adventure Pass for fourth graders and Golden Bear Pass for low-income families.

• While the library pass is arguably the most used and most popular, it's the only one without a dedicated funding stream, California State Parks Foundation executive director Rachel Norton told Axios.
• That's why the foundation has again sounded the alarm to save it, she said.

Flashback: The Library Parks Pass was also set to be cut from last year's budget, but lawmakers renewed the program for another year following advocacy efforts.

By the numbers: Among the thousands of Californians who have checked out a pass, nearly 70% reported household incomes below $60,000, according to the foundation.

• More than 63% identified as Black, Indigenous or people of color.

What's next: The state Legislature's deadline to approve the budget bill is Sunday; the governor has until June 27 to sign or veto it.

• But the funding could be restored through "trailer bills" in the budget clean-up process over the summer.