Bill to protect California State Parks failed

The State Assembly failed to pass Senate Bill 679 by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Linden), a bill sponsored by California State Parks Foundation to protect our state park system and ensure that lands used as state parks cannot be used for non-park purposes without providing substitute lands to make Californians' investment in our state parks whole.

Assemblymember Marty Block, did not cast a vote on the measure when it was before him on the Assembly Floor. When it was taken up, SB 679 fell just two votes shy. (Additionally, there is a second park protection bill, SB 372 (Kehoe) that will be taken up next week and needs his support as well.)

Please take a moment to contact Assemblymember Block and urge him to support SB 679. The Assembly will have another opportunity to take up the bill on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 for a vote only, and his vote will be important to ensure the bill's successful passage.