Re: [Paddlewise] kayak registration

What is happening in the outdoors is the same thing you are seeing at your 
University and other state (and Federal locations).  State politicians have 
learned that general tax increases are political suicide.  So what do you do 
when income stops its meteoric rise, and you still have to pay for critical 
services and your pet porkbarrel project? You cut the budgets of State 
agencies that have the ability to raise some of their own funds.  As a 
result State political entities including Universities, DNR's, EPA's, Parks, 
etc. are expected to raise more of their operating funds through tuition, 
fees, licenses etc.  Our governor is keeping his promise for the third 
straight year not to raise taxes.  However tuition is again going up at 
State Universities by ~ 9% to offset cuts in funding.  Part of it is 
justified as "user fees" -  those who use the service pay the cost of 
providing the service.  Some agencies maintain this pretext, others will 
admit they charge what they can when and where they can.

Old saying "Don't tax me, don't tax thee, tax that man over behind the tree" 
When that man behind the tree raises enough fuss about these hidden tax 
increases, they will go somewhere else.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bradford R. Crain" <crainb_at_pdx.edu>
Subject: [Paddlewise] kayak registration


> To all:
>     In Oregon and Washington, we have a multitude of relatively
> new fees. State parks now charge an admission fee. Cross country
> ski parking areas require a snow park permit. Hiking in
> the national forests requires a North West Forest Pass.
> Oregon and Washington boat ramps require a usuage fee. Local
> Sauvie Island beaches and Rooster Rock beaches now charge a fee.
> My favorite little park in Washinton now charges
> a fee to carry your kayak down a little gravel path to the water.
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************