OurMichiganParks.org

From the Grand Rapids Press:

A proposal to change parks funding from a $24 annual fee to a $10 fee for parks users attached to license plates seemed to be enjoying bipartisan support until end-of-the-year marathon legislative sessions cut off the plan at the knees — for 2009 at least.

Republican State Sen. Patty Birkholz, who co-wrote the legislation along with Ann Arbor Democratic Rep. Rebekah Warren, said she was shocked to hear Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon wanted to put the breaks on the legislation late last week.

Birkholz said she managed to negotiate a deal with Dillon that would allow a ready-to-go proposal be introduced at the start of the 2010 session in January and the old system would be allowed to expire after three months.

Birkholz said Dillon agreed not to oppose the new bill.

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From The Mining Journal:

The state House and Senate are expected Thursday to reconcile bills that would provide funding for state parks through the sale of “recreational passports.”

State Rep. Mike Lahti, D-Hancock, was among those lawmakers who voted recently in the house to support the plan.

“The U.P. is blessed with beautiful state parks that draw in visitors from all over the state and nation,” Lahti said in a news release. “This plan will make it easier for motorists to enter Michigan parks and enjoy our special way of life. Many people flock to our parks looking for a place to relax, and this pass will give our visitors one less thing to worry about.”

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Senate Bills 388 and 389, also known as the recreation passport bills have passed the Michigan Senate and reported out of House committee. They need to be voted on by the entire House. We believe we have the votes, but the Speaker Andy Dillon is not letting it go to a vote.

We need Michigan residents to call him, especially those within his district, annd ask that he call for a vote on Senate Bills 388 and 389. His phone number is 517.373.0857.

It might take a minute but it means preserving our state parks for generations to come.

A Grand Rapids Press editorial:

Giving Michiganders easy, affordable access to their 98 state parks and 77 state boat launches — that’s reason enough for the state to adopt a pending “Parks Passport” plan, where just $10 buys an annual vehicle pass.

But here’s another, equally appealing objective: raising millions of dollars to improve a valuable parks system that has been falling into disrepair for years.

Legislators should pass the plan, which has the support of the Department of Natural Resources, and the governor should sign it.

Read the entire editorial