OurMichiganParks.org

From the Grand Rapids Press:

It has taken a year and half of political wrangling, but a smart proposal for funding Michigan state parks finally is law. A four-bill package was signed Wednesday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The bills create a state park passport that will go into effect in October. The passport will do away with daily entry fees for Michigan residents and reduce the cost of annual admission from $24 to $10.

It wasn’t an easy passage. The Chamber of Commerce and transportation lobby opposed it. Speaker of the House Andy Dillon held it up over the holidays, reportedly to help an old college buddy, now a transportation lobbyist.

But in the end, wiser heads prevailed.

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From the Muskegon Chronicle:

West Michigan tourism officials are pleased by passage of a plan that will allow Michigan motorists to visit state parks by paying a $10 fee when they renew their vehicle license plates each year.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to sign the plan into law.

Bills setting up a state parks passport system were finalized Thursday by the Michigan Legislature and are headed to Granholm’s desk.

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An editorial from the Grand Rapids Press:

Some local lawmakers championed a smart idea for fixing this problem — a “Parks Passport” plan that would change the $24 annual fee system to a $10 fee on license plates for Michigan residents who opt in to the plan.

The Passport plan got shoved aside in December by House Speaker Andy Dillon, who said lawmakers needed to concentrate on school reforms. But he also pledged that the legislation could come back to life this month.

Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, and others spearheading this idea should hold him to that promise. This legislation deserves to pass, and promptly.

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From the Detroit Free Press:

Caught in the sad malingering that has become a Lansing hallmark, Michigan’s state parks continue to deteriorate without sustainable funding.

Lawmakers need to proceed promptly when they return this month with a plan to offer annual park admission to car owners as they renew their license plates.

If one in every five drivers signs on for the $10 fee, the program will raise a bit more than park admission fees do now (at a cost of $6 a day or $24 for an annual pass).

If half of drivers sign on, parks funding will improve greatly — allowing superintendents to start tackling their backlogged maintenance projects. The legislation also designates some of the new revenue for local parks, state forest trails and other minor categories.

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