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Task force: Auto surcharge could fund parks

by Associated Press (November 6th, 2009 @ 9:23am)

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PHOENIX -- A task force appointed by Gov. Jan Brewer is suggesting that Arizonans pay a $15 surcharge on annual registrations on non-commercial vehicle registrations to provide funding for the financially struggling state parks system.

Under the proposal, vehicles with Arizona plates would receive free admission for day use of state parks, but not special services such as boat launching, camping or Kartchner Caverns tours.

According to the task force's recent report, the surcharge would be voluntary because registrants could opt out from making what the report calls a "contribution."

The proposed surcharge would require legislative approval and the report says it would generate an estimated $40 million annually. It is modeled after one used by Montana.


Last 5 Comments

  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Surcharge is a Deception
    Common Sense
    Like airline fees, surcharges are just another way to make you think you're paying a lower base rate, but the total tax bill is high. Just make an honest tax rate hike until either things get better or voters realize we can do without it.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Terrell I agree
    A H
    I would probably pay teh 10-15 dollars if it's given as an option, but I don't want to be forced to pay yet another stupid tax. Government has to learn to do what we regular Americans are learning to do, and that is live with less money in the pocket.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Cut off
    Nimsisland
    All free services to Illegals and we would have plenty of money for our State Parks and we can keep our Rest Stops open. Just saying....
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Hogwash!
    Tempe Drifter
    The problem with this plan is that the money will go into the General Fund with a promise to be used to fund the Parks. Unfortunately since the General Fund is only the General Fund, our elected officials see the unused monies sitting there as an easy mark to be grabbed for some urgent matter. Like balancing a budget. They cleaned out the General Fund back in the late Eighties, and they just did it again as things started really going down. Bottom line is it must go into a separate special fund established just for the Parks.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Exactly
    rodney d
    Make it optional and you wont get much rebellion for it. MAKE people pay and you will have a swarm of angry bees.
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