Holes in state budget no surprise | editorial

Here’s one reason the state has a hole in its budget. The $30 pass (or $10 daily pass per vehicle) was projected to raise $15.6 million. Actual revenue? Only $6.5 million.

Here’s one reason the state has a hole in its budget.

The state put its Discover Pass into effect July 1, 2011, requiring people to buy one if they wanted to access state parks, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, and any recreation lands or water-access sites managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The $30 pass (or $10 daily pass per vehicle) was projected to raise $15.6 million.

Actual revenue? Only $6.5 million.

A survey found people who had two cars balked at buying the pass because it wasn’t transferable between vehicles. Wow. Who knew?

– Craig Groshart, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter