chanel
Silver Member
[Assemblyman Mike Davis said this week that California NAACP president Alice Huffman and others approached him with the idea of the state Department of Parks and Recreation taking over the Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County.
"I think Michael's history is world history and I think it would become the No. 1 attraction for the state parks if we could pull it off," he told the newspaper.
The success of the proposal is uncertain in a state where the budget deficit stands at $19 billion. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger previously proposed selling the state's landmark buildings to raise cash to cover the shortfall.
"Given that we have an economic shortfall ... I suspect it would be difficult for the State Parks Department to purchase the property alone," Davis said. He would propose a public-private partnership.
Davis said the plan remains only an idea at the moment and that he might introduce a bill or resolution on the matter after lawmakers return from their month long recess in August.
It's not clear how the state would pay for even part of the ranch or ongoing costs to maintain and operate it, given recent budget cuts to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed closing 220 of California's 279 state parks to save money, but later backed down. Instead, he and lawmakers agreed to close half the parks on certain days and reduce services.
FOXNews.com - NAACP Wants to Make Neverland a State Park
Bizarro world folks.