Gray's committee has parks hearing

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee, headed by Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, will hold an oversight hearing today on the state auditor's report regarding the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

Last year, it was revealed that the department had an understated fund balance of $54 million, prompting the committee to call for an audit.

At the 1 p.m. hearing at the state Capitol will be state Auditor Elaine M. Howle; Anthony Jackson, acting director of the parks department; and representatives from the state attorney general's office, the state controller's office and the Department of Finance.

Gray represents the 21st Assembly District, which includes all of Merced County and portions of Stanislaus County.