Texas State Parks

Bob Landry wrote:

2112 wrote:

garmp1 wrote:
Missouri passed years ago a 1/8 of 1 percent sales tax for the state park system. That allows the state to not charge entrance fees and maintain the parks as well as acquire new lands, and keep moderate camping fees.

You TAX all to benefit the few! I only point this out because most people I know have probably never been to a state park and have no interest in going to one. Should they pay for my enjoyment?

There are a lot of benefits that I don't get to enjoy, i.e. social programs and handouts, but I have to pay for anyway. That's the way it works. it would be nice if we only had to pay for the services we receive. It that were the case, my cable bill would be a lot less

Social programs are designed to aid the needy. This is not the same. This enables the needy, by paying this tax, to subsidize the well off. If it is indeed a sales tax everyone takes the same bite. Social program revenue is generally generated through income tax on a sliding scale.

2112 wrote:

garmp1 wrote:
Missouri passed years ago a 1/8 of 1 percent sales tax for the state park system. That allows the state to not charge entrance fees and maintain the parks as well as acquire new lands, and keep moderate camping fees.

You TAX all to benefit the few! I only point this out because most people I know have probably never been to a state park and have no interest in going to one. Should they pay for my enjoyment?

There are a lot of benefits that I don't get to enjoy, i.e. social programs and handouts, but I have to pay for anyway. That's the way it works. it would be nice if we only had to pay for the services we receive. It that were the case, my cable bill would be a lot less

garmp1 wrote:
Missouri passed years ago a 1/8 of 1 percent sales tax for the state park system. That allows the state to not charge entrance fees and maintain the parks as well as acquire new lands, and keep moderate camping fees.

You TAX all to benefit the few! I only point this out because most people I know have probably never been to a state park and have no interest in going to one. Should they pay for my enjoyment?

Bonefish wrote:
Another thing if our parks are in much need of repair, daily enterence fees on top of the campsite fees, why do I see so many out of state plates in the TX parks.

Sharon

A lot of park visitors, especially the out of state people, don't know about all the fees until they get to the park. I've read that about the Colorado State Parks also with their added entrance and vehicle fees. When you make a reservation online for a Texas park, there is no mention of the entrance fees. I'm not saying the parks are in disrepair, most are not. I'm just saying there is a better value out there for your camping dollar. It's up to the individual how they want to spend it and what they want to support.

Another thing if our parks are in much need of repair, daily enterence fees on top of the campsite fees, why do I see so many out of state plates in the TX parks.

Sharon

The park pass is good for any state park in TX for one year. If you are staying in one park campsite the paper tag in the window is good for that park only. When visiting another state park with the pass you enter with no charge after showing your pass. You will get another paper for the windshield as you visit that park. It does save in daily fees and depending on how many day trips you take inside another or other parks you visit.

Sharon

garmp1 wrote:
I can understand Texans defending their State Park system, as any good citizen should, and as I do as a resident of Missouri, but IMO Missouri has the best park system and has been used as models in other states. Missouri passed years ago a 1/8 of 1 percent sales tax for the state park system. That allows the state to not charge entrance fees and maintain the parks as well as acquire new lands, and keep moderate camping fees. My concern in Texas is the entrance fees and tourism. We are planning a trip to Texas in a couple of weeks, and as I assume many other people, would like to visit several state parks and possibly a couple in the same day. I was told when I called the Park system that a entrance pass was good only for that park and no other. This can really eat into ones budget. The yearly pass is a waste of money for us as we can only spend 5-6 days in Texas. $70 is tough to chew in this economy for 5-6 days of sight seeing.
I also realize that many states have the systems and prices will vary. It's just hard to get use to.

Arkansas uses that same system to fund and operate their parks, and the Arkansas parks are pristine. We go there every chance we get. I wasn't aware that the one pass/one park system was in use in Texas, but it's been a couple of years since I've use our parks, and have no plans to use them in the future. Texas collects a sporting goods tax as part of the sales tax, but the legislators use that money to buy votes instead of using it to support the parks and then TPWD turns around and begs for donations and stack fees on top of fees to operate the parks.

The COE parks are a much better value. Everyone we have stayed at has been great and the price is right with no entrance fee when you rent a site. The NPS Senior pass also gets you half price campsites in the COE parks and they are always located on a lake or river, making them even nicer

I did not know the rule had changed. It used to be that if you purchased a pass in one park, that same pass would get you into most any other park on the same day. I may have to check into that to see if it has indeed changed. Have not tried it in a few years.

I can understand Texans defending their State Park system, as any good citizen should, and as I do as a resident of Missouri, but IMO Missouri has the best park system and has been used as models in other states. Missouri passed years ago a 1/8 of 1 percent sales tax for the state park system. That allows the state to not charge entrance fees and maintain the parks as well as acquire new lands, and keep moderate camping fees. My concern in Texas is the entrance fees and tourism. We are planning a trip to Texas in a couple of weeks, and as I assume many other people, would like to visit several state parks and possibly a couple in the same day. I was told when I called the Park system that a entrance pass was good only for that park and no other. This can really eat into ones budget. The yearly pass is a waste of money for us as we can only spend 5-6 days in Texas. $70 is tough to chew in this economy for 5-6 days of sight seeing.
I also realize that many states have the systems and prices will vary. It's just hard to get use to.

BroncosFan wrote:
Lost in State park
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57606463/couple-rescued-after-being-stranded-in-desert-for-days/

Yup, our state parks are bigger than some states!;)