Comments on: New State Park Passport Is $10 Annual Bargain You Can Add On Vehicle Fee

By: Nemo

Nemo — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:18:44 +0000

I wish this covered state campgrounds as well. But all in all a rather innovative idea and simple one to boot!

By: Zippo

Zippo — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:46:58 +0000

john; you already own the land. We should not have to pay anything.

By: john

john — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:18:10 +0000

so they need to “sell” 4 times as many passes to equal the revenue of the old system. If they do, will that result in 4 times more people using the parks? Will the park require more maintenance ? staff ? improvements to handle 4 times the people ? I like the idea of getting it with the plate and am a big parks supporter but the price cut may be a bit much in real $ terms as well as falling into the psychological trap of the lack of percieved value in something priced so cheap. I feel a year of access the land it represents is worth far more than a of couple fast food meals.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 04:49:16 +0000

It will be made involuntary in a few years. Editor: Is the money spent on the parks or on the parks department?

By: Opie

Opie — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 21:45:58 +0000

Zippo, nothing in statute prevents the fee from going higher, but that would be counter-productive. This will only work if many, many more people buy the pass. At $10, it’s a bargain. If it goes much higher than that, use would drop off.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 02:08:15 +0000

I do not believe it is the whole story. The new law probably propped the door open to sliding the fee ever higher and allowing the collections of one fee/tax to be spent on something else. To think otherwise is to see it as a tax/fee decrease, and we know that does not happen.

Do you recall the promise from Dirk to only temporarily raise the sales tax ten years ago? Dirk went on to have a very cushy DC office and then a triple wammy retirement on us.

By: chicago sam

chicago sam — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 20:00:28 +0000

Take a bow Dave–That idea was brought up by someone who went to the Michigan State game and I am giving you the credit.

EDITOR NOTE–Actually it DID come from Michigan, but a year ago. Thanks.

By: Anonyvox

Anonyvox — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:50:51 +0000

That’s a fantastic idea. I am sure we will be selecting that option for both of our vehicles when they’re up for renewal. Good work, IDPR!

By: Zippo

Zippo — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:50:39 +0000

Does it come with a free phone?

By: Grumpy ole guy

Grumpy ole guy — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:17:55 +0000

It is too bad that the public access places (and schools and libraries) have to resort to such bake sale modes of garnering funds; but, I am happy that the option has been added and hope that the bookkeeping costs don’t outweigh the potential good from such an approach.