woes

bad budget news everywhere today:

-the sfmta budget passed the board of supes, which means increased muni fares and fast pass fees, and reduced service on many bus routes. it was a close vote but the progressive wing's attempts to put the budget burden on drivers rather than those that can least afford it failed. the city's alleged "transit first" policy, as well as its supposed commitment to environmetnal sustainability, remains a joke.

-schwarzenegger wants to close 223 of the state's parks to save money. that's an unbeliavable 80% of them, including mount tamalpais, china camp, mount diablo, angel island, año nuevo and other bay area landmarks. this despite the fact that for "every dollar spent, the state parks generate $2.35 in tax revenue from economic activity in the local communities surrounding the parks," plus the use fees. so we're talking about a probable net loss, which makes the whole idea inexplicable. especially since we're also battling an obesity (not to mention education) crisis, and cutting landscape, ranger, and environmental staff would potentially have a disasterous impact on our yearly fire problems, which cost the state a bundle. all to save $150 million, which is the littlest drop in a very large bucket. this is stupid.