Curt Hagman: Progress killed by process in Sacramento
Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee surprised local cities, counties, chambers, members of Congress, labor organizations, community groups, and residents by shelving Assembly Bill 3182 (introduced by Asm. Tom Lackey).
This bill had the potential to improve recreation and enhance conservation opportunities for millions of residents.
The committee's decision to kill the bill extinguished years-long efforts to improve Prado Regional Park, which is leased by San Bernardino County from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Located along the 71 freeway, Prado Regional Park would have benefitted from resources earmarked since the 1980s for the County of San Bernardino to improve recreation and open-spaces in the Chino Agricultural Preserve.
San Bernardino County has committed over $20 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year to improve and maintain its regional parks. The County was also working to leverage additional funds for the improvement of the Chino Agricultural Preserve through Proposition 70. Passed by voters in 1988, Proposition 70 authorized bonds for the development and maintenance of natural lands. The Chino Agricultural Preserve received $20 million to fund the acquisition, development, rehabilitation, protection, or restoration of park, wildlife, coastal and natural lands. Additionally, Proposition 70 states that it may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature if the amendment is consistent with the purposes of the Act.
In 2019, residents enthusiastically participated in the Prado Park master plan process, sharing their goals and desires for amenities at the park. Among these wishes were open-space, trails, spaces to accommodate car shows, a nature center & cultural amphitheater, water park, ziplines and climbing wall, equestrian spaces, community gardens, bike paths, concessions, courts for tennis, glamping and camping, etc.
AB 3182 was a legislative proposal that would have enabled the county to use Proposition 70 funds to make improvements at Prado Regional Park, fulfilling its commitment to enhancing public spaces for residents.
Unfortunately, progress for San Bernardino County residents was killed by process. AB 3182 moved through the first house of the legislature without opposition, until it reached the Senate Appropriations Committee, where the bill was held. Senate and Assembly Appropriations committees work through hundreds of bills at the end of session, passing or killing them with no explanation or opportunity for public comment.
This year, the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Anna Caballero, held 34 percent of its bills. Typically, the hold rate is approximately 25 percent. Almost 200 bills never made it to the floor. In a season where transparency and accountability are high on the minds of the public, this practice is detrimental to the democratic process.
Parks are an essential part of community well-being, offering families and visitors a safe place to relax and connect with nature. Fighting to ensure that residents see their tax dollars being used to improve their quality of life starts with recognizing the shortsightedness of the state in halting the progress that was promised.
While we continue to pursue improvements in the region, we will prioritize improving public spaces that add value to our communities. There are other pathways to achieve the vision the community set for San Bernardino County. That is a commitment that I made, and one I will continue to pursue.
Curt Hagman serves on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
