Paul Rogers, writing today in the San Jose Mercury News, reports on a leaked memo to state officials that details the substantial legal liability the state could face if it follows through on the Governor's promise to close as many as 100 state parks:

"It is likely that state parks would be liable for breach of contract" with the 188 agreements the state has signed with private companies that provide concession services, from restaurants to boat rentals to gift shops in parks, the memo concluded. Those concessions generated $89 million in gross sales last year. Further, if people enter closed parks and are injured or start fires, the state "can be held responsible for dangerous conditions," the attorneys added, even if the parkgoers were trespassing.