Save Cal Boating

Once again California politicians have set their sights on the Department of Boating and Waterways, a.k.a. Cal Boating. In his proposed state budget, Governor Jerry Brown wants to ax Cal Boating and reform it as a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Of course the proposed elimination was suggested under the guise of "reducing duplicative staffing" but we believe the state merely wants the considerable funds brought in by Cal Boating — boater fuel tax, registration fees, and interest on infrastructure loans — distributed to a wider range of state programs in contrast to the original mandate that those funds be used for boating-related projects. Killing off Cal Boating will not save the state a single dollar, but will almost certainly guarantee the reduction of boater services by allowing the department’s funding to be managed by an agency that clearly has managerial issues, not to mention conflicting priorities.

This is the fifth time a California governor has tried to kill Cal Boating — Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger both tried twice — but the state’s boaters, a.k.a. voters, bombarded the governor’s office with visits, calls and emails opposing the cut. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, it’s imperative that we once again stand together against this attack on our sport and lifestyle. Download the Recreational Boaters of California’s Call to Arms PDF, which includes a form letter to Governor Brown that RBOC will deliver. It’s only a moment out of your day, but could benefit all boaters for years to come.