License Plate To Fund State Parks?
Posted by MikeAdams on March 13, 2009
The Michigan DNR and State Parks funds are sorely needing a shot in the arm. They are not immune to the economic problems facing us in today’s world. Michigan is looking for any new ways to raise money for the DNR and park system, so they are looking at a possibility of a new program that is being used successfully in the state of Montana.
The new program would eliminate the annual $24 park fee and the $6 daily park permit fee, but would instead charge $10 for each new licnese plate or renewal in the state. People wishing to not partake in the program would be allowed to opt out. By purchasing the new plate or a renewal of an existing plate would allow that vehicle entry into any state park or state run boat lauch site.
The state hopes that this program will increase the funding for the DNR and parks system. Last year the State Park stickers raised $10.7 million, the state of Montana has a 75% participation rate with the current plate system inplace. Michigan is estimating that the residents of this state will participate at a 65% rate which would yeild an income of $47 million for the DNR.
This bill is seeing bipartisan support and if signed by the Governor could become law on January 1st 2010. I personally would love to see this program be implimented. I would purchase the new plate for each of my vehicles. It would give me the freedom to use any vehicle I own to enter the parks. As of now I have to use only my large pickup since I only purchase one sticker per year. Not only would this give the park users the flexibility of which vehicle to use, I think it would increase the amount of people using the park systems. This is a great way for the state to encourage new people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors at a small cost. I’m looking forward to seeing this bill become law.
This sounds like a great idea to me. I know I’d jump on board
March 13th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
If this works they way that they think it will then I think it will be a great idea. I hope that it doesn’t turn out to be flop like the permenate trailer plates that they started and then reverted back becuase it didn’t make enough money. I think they should make the default that everyone pays and then you must state that you want to option out. Well anything is worth a try.
March 13th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
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March 13th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
After seeing the numbers crunched, it makes complete and total sense.
Here’s the breakdown:
Current resident state park permit take: $10,700,000
Current resident boater access site permit take: $1,030,000
Total take on stickers: $11,730,000
Their vehicle estimates are:
7.1 million vehicles.
248,000 motorcycles.
%opt in – total revenue – delta from current revenue
10%, $7.22 million, $-4.5 million
20%, $14.4 million, $2.7 million
30%, $21.7 million, $9.9 million
40%, $28.9 million, $17.2 million
50%, $36.1 million, $24.4 million
60%, $43.3 million, $31.6 million
70%, $50.6 million, $38.8 million
Break even point: 16.2% opt in.
If more than 16.2% of vehicles in Michigan get this fee paid on them, it’ll take in more money than current sticker sales.
March 13th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Will all 100% of the money brought in on this program stay in the DNR park program? I would be for it as long as the law states only the DNR parks system gets the money. I hate the idea if that is not part of the package. Otherwise the general fund would get it and spend it away on everything but the real reason it’s intended for. I hope in the passing of this law they also have a real forcast of how improvements and upgrades will be made with the extra revenue taken in. This program sounds real good so long as it stays true to the cause.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:36 am