State parks to seek money to cover pass sale shortfall

[Sumpnneedskillin]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/06/19/2187302/state-parks-to-seek-money-to-cover.html

"The agency is preparing a request for the 2013-15 budget proposal that outgoing Gov. Chris Gregoire is drawing up for her successor and the next Legislature. Parks spokeswoman Virginia Painter said the commission signaled at a meeting Monday that it wants to not only cover the expected $10.5 million shortfall in revenue for the next two years, but also provide enough extra money to restore some maintenance and other services that have been cut."

[PlateauNDN]

They should've put a box and gate at the feed stations' entrances and stick a volunteer in the box and deny everybody entry unless they have the discover pass.  just my 

[Elkaholic daWg]

 That and time to close some obscure state parks, And there are many!

[MadHatter]

I think the other side is that there are people, like myself who no longer go to state parks.  Period.  There are hundreds of county parks that are free that are just as good, and I don't have to pay for a pass.  I think people are just going elsewhere.

[washelkhunter]

California is now turning over their st parks to private/corp. mgmt because the st is broke. Wash will have to do the same soon. 

[pianoman9701]

Whether the parks are obsolete or under-used, let's watch where the politicians decide to look for this extra money. Anyone want to bet from whom they think will pay for it?

[washelkhunter]

Big article in the Columbian today about state parks and the DP, well worth reading. The dp is a failure. The state is robbing a wildlife fund to cover expenses. But not to worry, this is just temporary till the rubes get used to being fleeced. Dont buy one. 

[Elkaholic daWg]

This one?

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jun/24/as-charges-go-up-visits-to-state-parks-decline/

 Or this one?

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jun/24/washington-state-parks-shuffle-staff/

[oldcamper]

I have no problem with paying but to seek more taxes to make up for money they thaught they would get is BS. You work with the funds you get and that is all. Stop spending money that you think you might get.

[400out]

sounds to me like someone as counting the chickens before they hatched!  How do they know it's a short fall  Just saying.....

[MadHatter]

Such is the nature of government and the whole reason we are in this mess... Speculative spending...

Sent from my sniper hide...

[mfswallace]

I think the other side is that there are people, like myself who no longer go to state parks.  Period.  There are hundreds of county parks that are free that are just as good, and I don't have to pay for a pass.  I think people are just going elsewhere.

Nothing is free it's just someone else who has to pay for it if you don't 

[jrebel]

Kinda scary to think there is a shortfall.....I spent today at Cape Dissapointment State Park and there is no shortage of users.  Every one of these users has a discovery pass or day use pass.  I have even seen a few with $99 ticket     

[buckfvr]

sounds to me like someone as counting the chickens before they hatched!  How do they know it's a short fall  Just saying.....

May not be a short fall.....but they want money and they are going after it.  You believe them   I dont....cant think of a single reason to believe any of them.

[Wenatcheejay]

Parks are great they just should not be run by the State.

I went to our local State Park and broke the law. I drove through the deserted park without a pass. There were two other lawbreakers who did not have visible passes eating lunch at a bench. It is unbelievable since a few years ago you would be hard pressed to find a parking place some days. But, I am sure that Christine knows more than I do. It's all part of the great plan to bring the economy back. With more taxes and more fees and more regulation it will work. It has to.

[Wea300mag]

There are still lots of National Forest land and gated areas where I can camp and hike. Still not buying that pass!!!

[Mudman]

 :yeah:laws and laws.  Blah blah.  Im not buying one.  Maybe they will realize we hate it and are not buying it and they are losing money. As a hunter I feel I pay already.  Liberals always want to raise raise raise.  They end up collecting less revenue.  DUH! I know they will go after us no matter what but I can sleep at night knowing I tried.

[CAMPMEAT]

I think park users should be forced to by a hunting license just to have the privilege to see animals in the wilderness, forest service roads, hiking trails. on golf courses etc.

[sebek556]

  go camp but not sure if I want every hippie running around with a license trying to vote on seasons and such...

[Mudman]

I think park users should be forced to by a hunting license just to have the privilege to see animals in the wilderness, forest service roads, hiking trails. on golf courses etc.

Sounds good to me!  As long as they eliminate disc. pass.   

[MadHatter]

I think the other side is that there are people, like myself who no longer go to state parks.  Period.  There are hundreds of county parks that are free that are just as good, and I don't have to pay for a pass.  I think people are just going elsewhere.

Nothing is free it's just someone else who has to pay for it if you don't 

True, its not "free" but they don't (yet) charge you for an access pass... I just flat out refuse to go to state parks anymore, and I am sure there are plenty more like me out there... I will use county parks and national forrests to recreate in...

Sent from my sniper hide...

[CAMPMEAT]

go camp but not sure if I want every hippie running around with a license trying to vote on seasons and such...

Oh, I forgot, the mushroom eaters wouldn't be allowed to vote for anything, just like us !!!! 

[MtnMuley]

Seriously, how f%*₯$#g stupid does this hag have to be to literally think she can dig her way out of the crater she's developed? Ain't a remote chance. Best bet is to vote in Rob, and go with his flow of hopefully a remote chance at recovery.

[Special T]

"In the recent session, the Legislature transferred $4 million to the state parks commission from a state Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account" Columbian NP

So this is a grant fund used to improve habitat for shorelines and such It seems that the grants are to help NGO's or nonprofits make improvements. Unfortunatly some of the excemptions for the grant are being used for the express purpose for parks. IE building maint and such. 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/grants/alea/
http://www.rco.wa.gov/grants/alea.shtml
Ineligible Projects
• Concessionaire buildings
• Fish or wildlife production facilities
• Indoor facilities such as swimming pools, community centers, museums, interpretive and environmental centers
• Offices, shops, residences, and meeting rooms
• Operating, overhead, or incidental costs
• Routine maintenance costs
• Legally mandated clean-up or costs of required mitigation actions not associated with the approved project.

[Wenatcheejay]

How much  $$$ would it raise to demand that all State Public employee's and anyone wishing to park on State owned property buy a $50.00 parking pass???

Just saying...

[Mudman]

When they waste the monies from the discover pass they will simply invent a great new idea of raising money to add to the rest.  They will tell us how much it is needed and threaten to close parks and not maintain them blah blah. This cycle never ends. During all this they will regulate more with obscure laws and steal more of our liberty while the ignorant do-gooders rave how the new fees will make our state and parks better fo us. By this time the money from the discover pass will all be going to the states general fund and not parks and we will have never even noticed until it was too late.  History repeats itself...

[jtw]

How much  $$$ would it raise to demand that all State Public employee's and anyone wishing to park on State owned property buy a $50.00 parking pass???

Just saying...

I might be hanging myself here, but as a state employee at my office it costs $120 annually to park.
The problem with parks is that they were never a source of revenue, and now they're trying to do that with the expectation that no one will care that they now have to pay (a lot) for the same amenities they can get free elsewhere.

[SCRUBS]

When they waste the monies from the discover pass they will simply invent a great new idea of raising money to add to the rest.  They will tell us how much it is needed and threaten to close parks and not maintain them blah blah. This cycle never ends. During all this they will regulate more with obscure laws and steal more of our liberty while the ignorant do-gooders rave how the new fees will make our state and parks better fo us. By this time the money from the discover pass will all be going to the states general fund and not parks and we will have never even noticed until it was too late.  History repeats itself...