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.