I’d also prefer this to be rolled into an income tax, but Washington doesn’t have one. The state only has a regressive sales taxes, one that has an outsized impact on our poorest citizens.
By making this a “fee for use,” it at least minimizes the damage to the poor who can’t access the parks at all.
Hawaii’s parks are visited way more by tourists than Washingtons parks. You would have to make the tourist pass something ridiculous to cover the shortfall, which would price out tourists, meaning no income for the park, meaning parks destroyed by Washingtonians.
$35/yr is a reasonable resident cost. $11/day is a reasonable tourist cost. Seems like Washington has made reasonable choices for this that reflect the states needs.
I’d also prefer this to be rolled into an income tax, but Washington doesn’t have one. The state only has a regressive sales taxes, one that has an outsized impact on our poorest citizens.
By making this a “fee for use,” it at least minimizes the damage to the poor who can’t access the parks at all.
IMO, they should have made out of state people pay more and Washington State residents pay nothing, like they do in Hawaii.
Tourists have to buy day passes or a discovery pass in Washington. Day passes are $11.50/day. They are already in general being charged way more than people that go to the parks year round with the $35 annual pass. This is comparable, but actually higher, than what hawaii charges tourists.
Hawaii’s parks are visited way more by tourists than Washingtons parks. You would have to make the tourist pass something ridiculous to cover the shortfall, which would price out tourists, meaning no income for the park, meaning parks destroyed by Washingtonians.
$35/yr is a reasonable resident cost. $11/day is a reasonable tourist cost. Seems like Washington has made reasonable choices for this that reflect the states needs.
I guess we’re going to disagree. We were poor when this law was implemented. It was pretty hard on us.
Edit, btw, this is what we pay too, lol.