Calif. lawmakers vote to let nonprofits run parks

With budget cuts threatening to force the shutdown of 70 California state parks, the state Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved legislation making it easier for nonprofit groups to take over operations at some parks.

The bill, AB42, passed 67-0 Thursday with little discussion and was sent to the Senate.

The author, Democratic Assemblyman Jared Huffman of San Rafael, said the measure might not be a complete solution to keeping parks open, but it could help. "This is not a silver bullet," he said.