A legislative audit has recommended that the Legislature should consider entrance fees for state parks.  The park system estimates that the states needs between $75 million and $100 million for capital improvements and maintenance.  During the 2018 Legislative session the Legislature approved a $60 million Lottery bond issue.  This will pay for some of the improvements but not all.  The audit suggests that one way to make up the difference is to charge entrance fees.

In 2017 the Division of Natural Resources was all set to impose entrance fees at seven parks.  Then the Governor came out in opposition.  He’s the one who sits in the big chair so that was that.