$5.00 Parks Fee Effective Oct 09

[dbllunger]

We have been waiting and it is finally here.  Starting this Oct the state is automatically adding a $5.00 donation to your vehicle tabs.  You have to ask to have your donation removed or it is added in.  A DOL employee told me that they were told expressly "Do not ask the person if they want to remove the State Park donation." from Olympia.  Personally I just opted out for their first $10.00, and will for the other upcoming $50 bucks that I so gladly donated by choice of the politicians.

[Crunchy]

I dont mind paying the 5 bucks, but ask dont just take

[huntnphool]

Great, I have a couple cars to license this month, I will check to see if its on there.

[huntnphool]

Do you have a link to any official notice?

[dbllunger]

No link, and it has been kept very quiet after it was approved.  Questions number is (360) 902-8500 for the Parks Commission. I called and told them what I thought of it and how they snuck it.  They just referred me to my legislator and did not have a comment section or way to pass on how I felt.  It is on there, and just automatically added into your total due.  This is on all DOL registrations (Boat, ATV, Trailers, etc.) not just your car.  Also added another $2.00 to your personalized plates, but it still goes to DFW to spend on Wildlife Rehab.  This came up the first of the year to cover the overspending.  I have been watching and talking with a local DOL person since this was going to happen.  I also agree it should be my choice to donate or not.  This is simply taking and is very offensive they took in hopes people will miss it.  I will give nothing due to the tactic employed. 

[sisu]

Well ain't that just special. What really gets my dander up is Long Lake or Lake Spokane. Once Labor Day rolls around it is the most private PUBLIC lake I've ever seen. Now they roll another 5 bucks in and we still have a PRIVATE PUBLIC LAKE that has a series of public dams on it for power and to create recreation for the PUBLIC  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PolarBear]

I informed my wife about it a month or so ago after she had already payed them all.  It cost us an extra $65 in involuntary racketeering fees!  F-ing state!!!!!!

[yelp]

I think this is a way to get back from the parking fee they put in place a few years back and then had to take away..I am sure the money would be put to good use, but ask me if I want to donate don't take it or make it automatic. 

[PolarBear]

It does not go towards parks, it gets thrown into the general fund like all other "specified" fees.  That way it is easier to piss away with no accountability.

[huntnphool]

I have been looking and cant find anything official explaining this anywhere, help!!!

[huntnphool]

Here it is.

http://www.parks.wa.gov/donations/

[benbo30]

the only way i am willing to pay this is if it really goes to what they say it will go to , not to fricken pay off grequires spending habit

[wolfbait]

Great post, thank you for the info.

[Al Bundy]

I just renewed my tags yesterday and opted out of the fee. We camp at Beacon Rock State Park at least once a year which cost $21 a night and always go for at least four nights. I don't mind paying that fee since the park is clean, quiet, well maintained and I'm prepared to pay it, but to sneak in a fee is *censored*.

Oh, one other thing with the licensing, they charge an extra $20 to keep your original plates. It's due to the "custom printing" of getting your same number. If you take the new plates with new numbers, it doesn't cost extra. I took the cheaper route, but after thinking about it I'm going to have to call around and update that info with insurance and everyone else.

[blindpig]

Don't like it one bit.  We would all be up in arms if a private business did this.