As car tab 'donations' roll in, threat of state park closures wanes

Vehicle owners are showing an early willingness to include $5 for state parks with their car registration renewal fees. And if the current rate of collections continue, the threat of state park closures will be gone.

Here are excerpts of the State Parks and Recreation Commission announcement:

From the beginning of the 2009-11 biennium July 1 to Sept. 30, 2009, State Parks received $1.4 million in donations...

If donation levels continue in the current manner, State Parks will be able to meet the 2009-11 budget and keep state parks open.

The Legislature projected that State Parks would need $28 million in donations over a full two-year budget period to keep state parks open. Because the new donation program started two months into the biennium with September vehicle license tab renewals, there are only 22 collection months. For that reason, State Parks needs an average of approximately $1.25 million a month in donations over the two years of the biennium to meet its budget.

For the full release, go here.