No, it’s not a parody. It’s California.
State lawmakers are taking aim at what some of them see as a menace to California’s environment: free parking.
There is too much of it, the legislators say, and it encourages people to drive instead of taking the bus, walking or riding a bike. All that motoring is contributing to traffic jams and pollution, according to state Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), and on Thursday he won Senate approval of a proposal he hopes will prompt cities and businesses to reduce the availability of free parking.
“Free parking has significant social, economic and environmental costs,” Lowenthal said. “It increases congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.”
Just what California’s nearly bankrupt economy needs: yet another boneheaded regulation that will deter people from frequenting local businesses.
