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State Budget Deal Struck, Some State Parks Likely to Close

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

A budget deal was agreed on last night between top legislators and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Part of that deal was cutting $8 million from the state parks system, saving the majority of parks from the original proposal to cut around $70 million forcing the closure of 80% of them.

The deal doesn't raise any taxes or fees but takes a heavy toll on other services including county and city budgets. Billions will be taken from local coffers affecting a wide range of services including transportation and redevelopment. At least some of it will have to be paid back within three years with interest.

Other major cuts include $6 billion to K-12 and Community Colleges, close $3 billion for UC and CSU systems and $1.3 from MediCal. The deal also includes cost saving measures such as allowing school district to cut five days from the school year and expanding drilling off the Santa Barbara coast within a limited scope.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

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