Discovery Pass fund theft bill – SB5979

tod701 · 01-31-2012, 04:21 PM

Senate Bill SB5979 would divert 70 percent of the Discover Pass funding going to the DNR and instead of using to facilitate recreation, give it to the trust beneficiaries.

See link to SB5979

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...5979&year=2011

This would lower the DNR recreation portion of the $30 pass from $2.40 to 72 cents.

Last spring the Legislature asked the recreational users of state managed public land to pay a new fee to facilitate than recreational access. To accomplish that SB5622 created the Discover Pass.

Now, less than a year later SB5979 has been introduced, proposing to divert 70 percent of the funds originally intended to fund recreational access to Department of Natural Resources managed public land.

There will be a hearing before the Senate Energy, Natural Resources and marine Waters Committee on Thursday 2-Feb-2012.

If you don’t like this plan, please tell members of the Senate Energy, Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee where you stand.

Their email addresses are:

Ranker.Kevin@leg.wa.gov
Delvin.jerome@leg.wa.gov
Regala.Debbie@leg.wa.gov
Morton.Bob@leg.wa.gov
Fraser.Karen@leg.wa.gov
Hargrove.James@leg.wa.gov
Murray.ed@leg.wa.gov
Stevens.Val@leg.wa.gov
Swecker.Dan@leg.wa.gov

Example letter, use it or better yet modify it to make it your own.

++++

Dear Senator xxxx,

Please oppose SB5979

This bill is titled ”Ensuring that the trust beneficiaries receive their proportionate distribution of moneys received from the sale of discover passes”

While the title of this bill sounds fair and reasonable, it is just the opposite.

In 2011 the Legislature asked the recreational users of state managed public land to pay a new fee to facilitate than recreational access. Senate Bill SB5622 was passed and that created the Discover Pass.

Now, less than a year later SB5979 has been introduced, proposing to divert 70 percent of the funds originally intended to fund recreational access to Department of Natural Resources managed public land.

As it stands today, only $2.40 from each Discover Pass goes to the DNR and now SB5979 proposed to reduce even that small allocation to only 72 cents.

For those citizens that recreate on DNR managed public land, the pass that costs them $35 including service fees would return approximately two percent back in their direction. It is hard to imagine how anyone could consider this an equitable distribution formula.

This is a disappointment and violation of the trust given the state by the purchasers of the Discover Pass.

NO on SB5979!

Monster4570 · 01-31-2012, 08:22 PM

Good info and thanks for the contacts. I'm sending my modified letter to all.
Damn this shit gets old.

jnicola · 01-31-2012, 10:11 PM

Holy shit... again?

How is there not a class action lawsuit! That's just outright theft, and people constitutionally have a right to grievance with the state.

Michael · 02-01-2012, 06:44 AM

I had a feeling this was going to happen. Fucking assholes.

NoQuarter#121 · 02-01-2012, 06:47 AM

$2.40?

WTF?

Where does the other $32.60 go?

What about my ORV?

This is such bullshit...

Overspending idiots.

Bluuu · 02-01-2012, 08:10 AM

Gee, nobody could have ever predicted this.

Veloc · 02-01-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Bluuu

Gee, nobody could have ever predicted this.

I'm reminded of the Multnomah County Income Tax. 3% local income tax to prevent any schools from closing and any shortening of the school year.

I smelled a rat, but didn't live in MC. Warned everybody. They all voted in favor. New tax passed.

Schools closed and year got shortened, as the tax got raided.

Suckers.

Never trust a new tax or fee. It's guaranteed that the proceeds will not go toward the claimed intent. Ever.

quik99 · 02-01-2012, 08:34 AM

how much shit like this did they get away with before internet making all crap much more visible to the general public.

Rippn · 02-01-2012, 08:48 AM

ahhh... the good old bad old days...
FREE and clean, Ripp'n

PeteN95 · 02-01-2012, 09:14 AM

Spiced up version sent! Bastards!!

UhOh · 02-01-2012, 09:21 AM

I would say this thread is absolutely false <--- See revision 3 posts below

Looked at bill: the DNR apparently doesn't manage state parks and the vast majority of the Discovery Pass money
is directed to State Parks through this bill (84% if I recall right).

EDIT: so I checked; 100% is accounted for -

"For the first $71 million in revenue collected under the provisions of this bill each fiscal
biennium:

8 percent is deposited into the State Wildlife Account-DFW;
8 percent is deposited into the Park Land Trust Revolving Account-DNR; and
84 percent is deposited in the State Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account."

tod701 · 02-01-2012, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by UhOh

I would say this thread is absolutely false

What is false about it.

Did you bother to read section 1 (1)(b) of SB5979?

The DNR currently gets 8% of the D-pass coin.
That is to be used to facilitate recreation on DNR managed public land.

SB5979 proposes to take 70% of that portion away, leaving 30% of the 8% DNR allocation left for recreation at DNR managed reecreation areas.

State Parks still gets their 84% cut on matter what.
Except at 600 acres of Riverside State Park, offroad motorcycling is banned in State Parks and tha tis not funded by D-pass revenue. A ORV use at Riverside is funded by tax on gas used by ORV.

Any problem with these facts or did I miss whatever it was that pissed you off and accuse me of lying?

tod701 · 02-01-2012, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by NoQuarter#121

Where does the other $32.60 go?

$25.20 to State Parks
$2.40 to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
$5.00 to the selling agent

Originally Posted by NoQuarter#121

What about my ORV?

The Discover pass is only required on vehicle that are required to have street plates.

UhOh · 02-01-2012, 03:02 PM

^^^ I think Tod701's rebuke of my look at the bill (3 posts up) is justified.

Here's why. Although the $$ are to be split up as I quoted from the bill, and that's as far as I went, under that split there is a proposed change that Tod701 is drawing attention to (and I didn't see):
"[this portion of the money generated by the sale of the Discovery Passes] must be distributed equitably to the beneficiaries of state lands and state forest lands..."

These beneficiaries aren't defined, but - think, think, cobwebs - my high school history memories recall that in 1800's federal lands granted over to the states when they were admitted to the union
were conditional upon revenue generated from these public lands being used to support public schools and colleges.

Hence the term 'land grant colleges' in western states. I always thought of revenue as royalties from timber sales and mining, never citizen access fees.

I bet this bill is one way WA government is bumping up education funding. It was a nice exercise to figure how 1800 era laws
continue to have force today with new kinds of revenue. I wouldn't have used the term 'theft' in title, but that's really beside the point.

Tod701

tod701 · 02-01-2012, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by UhOh

^^^ I think Tod701's rebuke of my look at the bill (3 posts up) is justified.

Here's why. Although the $$ are to be split up as I quoted from the bill, and that's as far as I went, under that split there is a proposed change that Tod701 is drawing attention to (and I didn't see):
"[this portion of the money generated by the sale of the Discovery Passes] must be distributed equitably to the beneficiaries of state lands and state forest lands..."

These beneficiaries aren't defined, but - think, think, cobwebs - my high school history memories recall that in 1800's federal lands granted over to the states when they were admitted to the union
were conditional upon revenue generated from these public lands being used to support public schools and colleges.

Hence the term 'land grant colleges' in western states. I always thought of revenue as royalties from timber sales and mining, never citizen access fees.

I bet this bill is one way WA government is bumping up education funding. It was a nice exercise to figure how 1800 era laws
continue to have force today with new kinds of revenue. I wouldn't have used the term 'theft' in title, but that's really beside the point.

Tod701

Thanks -

The Washington State Department of Natural Resource managed chunks of public trust lands.

Each chunk is assigned to a specific trust.

Common types of trusts are as follows:

Common Schools
Agricultural School Trust
Scientific School Trust
Normal School Trust
University-Original Trust
University-Transfer Trust
Charitable, Educational, Penal and Reformatory Institutions Trust

The reason I used the word theft and will stick with is because of how we got here.

Less than a year ago we were asked by the legislature to support the creation of an access pass for public lands specifically on the condidtion that all of the money would go to facilitate recreational access. That is the only reason SB5622 got enough support to pass. Then less than a year later, two of the Senators that voted for the bill were cosponsors of SB5979, proposing to spend the money on something other than what they promised. In most folk's world that sure smells like stealing.

UhOh -Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

Runout · 02-01-2012, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by NoQuarter#121

$2.40?
What about my ORV?

I have to hang one in my car every time I want to go surfing, camping, hiking, climbing and generally f'ing about on public land. It's not just for ORV's.

Runout · 02-01-2012, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by tod701

That is the only reason SB5622 got enough support to pass.

That...and the threat of most state parks closing due to lack of funding.

tod701 · 02-01-2012, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Runout

I have to hang one in my car every time I want to go surfing, camping, hiking, climbing and generally f'ing about on public land. It's not just for ORV's.

That is correct, ORV already pay for an ORV permit.

And their portion of the gas tax to fund the Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities account.

Why now, should they pay three times for the same service?

fastfoodfred · 02-01-2012, 06:30 PM

Why would any more of my money be needed by schools?! Isn't that what the equivalent of one of my mortgage payments already funds? Isn't the state lottery funding the schools and highways already? Fuck, I'm tired of taxes and use fees and license fees being mismanaged and robbed. Enough. I'm glad I sleep at night knowing I vote down all tax hikes and the like, especially for schools. They waste it or do not spend it on what it was designed for.

tod701 · 02-01-2012, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Runout

That...and the threat of most state parks closing due to lack of funding.

And that is why diverting pass funds is wrong, if it is accepted as OK for the DNR cut of the action, why not go for some of the Parks cut too.

Even the lobbyist for state parks opposes 5979


01-31-2012, 08:22 PM	#2
Monster4570 Knee Dragger Joined: Apr 2009 From: ...stumblin' through the parking lot of an invisible 7-11... Blog Entries: 2 I Ride: for my daily recommended allowance of vitamin B12	Good info and thanks for the contacts. I'm sending my modified letter to all. Damn this shit gets old. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


01-31-2012, 10:11 PM	#3
jnicola Shredical Joined: Aug 2009 From: Mt Hood OR Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 01 Yamaha YZ250 / 99 Yamaha WR400F (DIRT)	Holy shit... again? How is there not a class action lawsuit! That's just outright theft, and people constitutionally have a right to grievance with the state. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-01-2012, 06:44 AM	#4
Michael Streetfighter Joined: Jan 2010 From: Kenmore, WA I Ride: GS500E	I had a feeling this was going to happen. Fucking assholes. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-01-2012, 06:47 AM	#5
NoQuarter#121 Railer Joined: Sep 2007 From: 2nd star to the right and straight on 'til morning I Ride: on ice at 15F below zero	$2.40? WTF? Where does the other $32.60 go? What about my ORV? This is such bullshit... Overspending idiots. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-01-2012, 08:10 AM	#6
Bluuu Señor verde Joined: Mar 2011 From: Kirkland I Ride: behind the girls.	Gee, nobody could have ever predicted this. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


01-31-2012, 04:21 PM	#1
tod701 Permit Joined: Apr 2011 From: Stanwood, WA I Ride: CRF250X	Discovery Pass fund theft bill – SB5979 Senate Bill SB5979 would divert 70 percent of the Discover Pass funding going to the DNR and instead of using to facilitate recreation, give it to the trust beneficiaries. See link to SB5979 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...5979&year=2011 This would lower the DNR recreation portion of the $30 pass from $2.40 to 72 cents. Last spring the Legislature asked the recreational users of state managed public land to pay a new fee to facilitate than recreational access. To accomplish that SB5622 created the Discover Pass. Now, less than a year later SB5979 has been introduced, proposing to divert 70 percent of the funds originally intended to fund recreational access to Department of Natural Resources managed public land. There will be a hearing before the Senate Energy, Natural Resources and marine Waters Committee on Thursday 2-Feb-2012. If you don’t like this plan, please tell members of the Senate Energy, Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee where you stand. Their email addresses are: Ranker.Kevin@leg.wa.gov Delvin.jerome@leg.wa.gov Regala.Debbie@leg.wa.gov Morton.Bob@leg.wa.gov Fraser.Karen@leg.wa.gov Hargrove.James@leg.wa.gov Murray.ed@leg.wa.gov Stevens.Val@leg.wa.gov Swecker.Dan@leg.wa.gov Example letter, use it or better yet modify it to make it your own. ++++ Dear Senator xxxx, Please oppose SB5979 This bill is titled ”Ensuring that the trust beneficiaries receive their proportionate distribution of moneys received from the sale of discover passes” While the title of this bill sounds fair and reasonable, it is just the opposite. In 2011 the Legislature asked the recreational users of state managed public land to pay a new fee to facilitate than recreational access. Senate Bill SB5622 was passed and that created the Discover Pass. Now, less than a year later SB5979 has been introduced, proposing to divert 70 percent of the funds originally intended to fund recreational access to Department of Natural Resources managed public land. As it stands today, only $2.40 from each Discover Pass goes to the DNR and now SB5979 proposed to reduce even that small allocation to only 72 cents. For those citizens that recreate on DNR managed public land, the pass that costs them $35 including service fees would return approximately two percent back in their direction. It is hard to imagine how anyone could consider this an equitable distribution formula. This is a disappointment and violation of the trust given the state by the purchasers of the Discover Pass. NO on SB5979! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-01-2012, 08:34 AM	#8
quik99 Chicken Strips Joined: Jul 2007 From: Lacey, WA I Ride: Quik NOT quick i'm slow!	how much shit like this did they get away with before internet making all crap much more visible to the general public. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-01-2012, 08:48 AM	#9
Rippn Human Race Qualifier FREE and clean Joined: Apr 2007 From: soap lake wa. I Ride: 00kaw12r, 97 tls1000, 96gsxr1260 turbo freakshow, kz1300gt, 88gsxr1100, 86gsxr750, 82gsx1100ez, 79kz1300, 75 ducati750gts, 72 gt550 cafe	ahhh... the good old bad old days... FREE and clean, Ripp'n __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-01-2012, 09:14 AM	#10
PeteN95 Joined: Jan 2008 From: Muk, WA Blog Entries: 3 I Ride: SV, XRR, Christini	Spiced up version sent! Bastards!! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-01-2012, 09:21 AM	#11
UhOh Streetfighter Joined: Apr 2006 From: Tri-Cities, WA I Ride: Hither, Thither and Yon ... mostly day rides	I would say this thread is absolutely false <--- See revision 3 posts below Looked at bill: the DNR apparently doesn't manage state parks and the vast majority of the Discovery Pass money is directed to State Parks through this bill (84% if I recall right). EDIT: so I checked; 100% is accounted for - "For the first $71 million in revenue collected under the provisions of this bill each fiscal biennium: 8 percent is deposited into the State Wildlife Account-DFW; 8 percent is deposited into the Park Land Trust Revolving Account-DNR; and 84 percent is deposited in the State Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account." __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by UhOh; 02-01-2012 at 03:03 PM..


02-01-2012, 03:02 PM	#14
UhOh Streetfighter Joined: Apr 2006 From: Tri-Cities, WA I Ride: Hither, Thither and Yon ... mostly day rides	^^^ I think Tod701's rebuke of my look at the bill (3 posts up) is justified. Here's why. Although the $$ are to be split up as I quoted from the bill, and that's as far as I went, under that split there is a proposed change that Tod701 is drawing attention to (and I didn't see): "[this portion of the money generated by the sale of the Discovery Passes] must be distributed equitably to the beneficiaries of state lands and state forest lands..." These beneficiaries aren't defined, but - think, think, cobwebs - my high school history memories recall that in 1800's federal lands granted over to the states when they were admitted to the union were conditional upon revenue generated from these public lands being used to support public schools and colleges. Hence the term 'land grant colleges' in western states. I always thought of revenue as royalties from timber sales and mining, never citizen access fees. I bet this bill is one way WA government is bumping up education funding. It was a nice exercise to figure how 1800 era laws continue to have force today with new kinds of revenue. I wouldn't have used the term 'theft' in title, but that's really beside the point. Tod701 __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by UhOh; 02-01-2012 at 03:27 PM..


02-01-2012, 06:30 PM	#19
fastfoodfred Moto2 Champion Joined: Mar 2006 From: spokane, wa I Ride: 2008 SXV4.5 + 2006 ZX6RR + 1985 RZ350 + 2010 YZ250F +	Why would any more of my money be needed by schools?! Isn't that what the equivalent of one of my mortgage payments already funds? Isn't the state lottery funding the schools and highways already? Fuck, I'm tired of taxes and use fees and license fees being mismanaged and robbed. Enough. I'm glad I sleep at night knowing I vote down all tax hikes and the like, especially for schools. They waste it or do not spend it on what it was designed for. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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