California Program That Gives Park Passes to Library Users Survives Budget Talks

The budget agreement between Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers calls for continued funding of a popular program allowing public library cardholders to gain day-use entry to more than 200 state parks. The 2024–25 budget agreement this week authorized $6.75 million that will allow the California State Library Parks Pass program to operate until December 2025, the parks foundation stated. With 280 parks in the state system, the pass gets residents into most recreational areas in California. The program was launched in 2022 with the support of First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s Outdoor Access for All initiative, the California State Parks Foundation, and the California State Library system....