An Eastern Washington lawmaker wants to grant free access to state parks. Senate Minority Leader Mark Schoesler, of Ritzville, has drafted a measure that eliminates the need for people to purchase a Discover Pass if they wish to enter a state park with a vehicle. The Legislature authorized the creation of the pass in 2011 as a way to help fund Washington’s state parks following the Great Recession. The pass is required for vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Natural Resources. An annual pass is 30 dollars and a one-day pass costs 10 dollars. Schoesler says the Discover Pass was created to help deal with a severe budget crisis, and now that the recession has been over for many years, it’s time to allow residents back into the parks at no charge. The 9th District Republican says the state can afford to eliminate the Discover Pass, pointing out the state is expecting to receive an additional 850 million dollars in revenue since the current two-year state operating budget was passed last April. Schoesler contends eliminating the pass to visit a state park also would be a boost for tourism. (Washington Senate Republican Caucus)
