“The governor’s budgeting philosophy continues to be a prudent one for the most part,” is how the California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office described Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2015-16 budget proposal.

Although the LAO review noted some differences with the governor, such as the possibility that revenues this year would exceed the administration’s estimates, in general, the LAO supported Brown’s budget.

“In the near term, the governor’s reluctance to propose significant new program commitments outside of Proposition 98 could help avoid a return to the boom and bust budgeting of the past. Moreover, his proposal to address the state’s retiree health liabilities over the next few decades would, if fully funded, address the last of state government’s large unaddressed liabilities. Over the long run, eliminating these liabilities will significantly lower state costs, affording future generations more flexibility in public budgeting,” was the LAO conclusion.

Unless an unexpected financial market downturn occurs, the LAO estimates state revenue will be $1 billion to $2 billion higher this fiscal year. However, Prop 98, which constitutionally specifies educational funding, will control the use of most the extra funding.

This raised a concern for the LAO. If state revenues falter in a future downturn and the budget is already growing for education spending, this “present[s] a potential challenge for the state budget.”

While the governor’s budget includes a $3.4 billion reserve, the LAO dismisses that as “little protection” if budget deficits similar to the past re-appear.

Educational spending will increase $2.5 billion in 2015-16, in addition to a $2.3 billion upward revision this year. Next year’s budget increases the Local Control Funding by $4 billion, a significant increase for state school districts.

“The governor’s budget is a positive change for Hemet USD. The main element is the increase in the 2015-16 [Local Control] funding … This is about a $6.1 million positive change for Hemet USD next year,” HUSD’s Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Vince Christakos wrote in an email.

The 2015 California State Parks has brought back the popular “Golden Poppy.” For $125, the Golden Poppy grants vehicle entrance to 112 state parks.

The Golden Poppy Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass is not valid at the high-demand Southern California beach parks.

The annual park pass program consists of many different passes with a variety of admissions to parks statewide and price points designed to meet visitors’ individual needs.

Another favorite is the California Explorer Annual Pass for $195, which offers the most value. This pass allows vehicle entrance to 134 state parks, including the Southern California beaches along the Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego coasts.

However, neither of these two passes provide access to Off Highway Motor Vehicular Recreation Areas nor are they valid for camping, oversized vehicle fees, extra vehicle fees or other supplemental fees.

For visitors interested in off-highway recreation, the State Parks offers a $50 OHV vehicle day use annual pass. It is valid for passenger vehicles with a capacity of nine persons or less at all state-operated Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Areas designated as OHV units where vehicle day use fees are collected. The OHV Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass will only be honored at OHMVR Areas designated as OHV units and not accepted at other units operated by California State Parks.

There is also a separate entrance fee in addition to the park’s vehicle day use fee for vehicles 25 feet or more in length or 9 feet or wider in width. So State Parks also offers a 12-month oversized vehicle pass for $75. A vehicle pulling a trailer also is considered an oversized vehicle. The oversized vehicle pass will not be required at OHMVR Areas designated as OHV units.

For history buffs, the Historian Passport costs $50 and provides admission for up to four people to State Historic Parks. These areas generally charge a per-person admission fee. Pass holders are able to tour California missions, see where the gold rush happened and experience Native American culture.

A new pass in 2015 is the Tahoe Regional Annual Pass for $75. This regional pass was created this year specifically for one of the jewels of the state, the Lake Tahoe region. The pass includes admission to D.L. Bliss State Park, Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, Emerald Bay State Park, Kings Beach State Recreation Area and Donner Memorial State Park.

Many other passes also are available, such as a Distinguished Veteran Pass, a Disabled Discount Pass and a Golden Bear Pass. For more information about these passes visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 or call 1-800-777-0369. ext. 3. or 916-653-8280.

The annual passes are available at many locations including the California State Parks Online Store.

Since January 5, 2014, passes have been available at state park units where fees are collected. All passes are valid for a 12-month period from the date of purchase.

The U.S. Forest Service will waive fees at most of its day-use recreation sites five times in 2015. The next fee-free day is Monday, Feb. 16, in honor of Presidents Day.

“Our fee-free days touch on every season and serve as an enticement to new and repeat visitors to come out and enjoy their national forests and grasslands,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “These public lands offer rich experiences for everyone, from the avid sportsman to the casual hiker or nature observer.”

The remaining three fee-free days in 2015 are the Saturdays of June 13, National Get Outdoors Day, a day when federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and the recreation industry encourage healthy, outdoor activities, and Sept. 26, National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort in support of public land. The third and final fee free day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

The first fee-free day was Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Day.

No fees are charged at any time on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands, and about two-thirds of developed recreation sites in national forests and grasslands can be used for free. Check with your local forest station or visit Recreation.gov to see if a forest destination charges a fee.

Contact the San Bernardino National Forest office for more information about events, especially on National Get Outdoors Day and National Public Lands Day.

The fee-free program is in cooperation with other federal land management agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Fees are waived generally for day-use areas, such as picnic grounds, developed trailheads and destination visitor centers. Concessionaire-operated sites may be included in the waiver, if the permit holder wishes to participate.