National Parks Senior Pass, in danger

[RRR]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Nobody should have to spend a dime to get into a National Park.

We send $200,000,000 to the Philippines alone not to mention all the other third world countries.

Philippines - Total (FY 2012)

What is your point? We send a boatload to Israel every year too. Try to buy parts for a Hamat faucet without breaking the bank.

[rkresge]

Even though I don't have my Senior Pass yet, and I'm no legislative expert, I'm not going to get all uptight over this. First, I looked at the bill passed by the House on Tuesday (voice vote). Unless the bill was amended (no sign of that), it looks like the Senior Pass gets raised to $20 for the first year after the bill takes effect, and THEN goes to the same price as the pass that's sold currently at $80. Second, I looked at the Senate's legislative schedule, and have trouble believing it will be considered by the Senate before the end of the current session - this week's Senate legislative calendar looks extremely full. Wouldn't it also have to go to a committee first? Third, the Senate plans go to into recess after Dec. 16, next Friday. Fourth, there's a very similar Senate bill that would have to be either dumped, or potentially go to a conference committee. Fifth, there should be no rush. How fast could it be implemented even if it passes the Senate and is signed by Obama?

In other words, I'm not so worried about this, at least in the short term.

Roger

[Squantobon]

I don't have a problem with there being some kind of charges for the parks, partly for upkeep and partly to prevent overuse. But that said, I'd prefer if others pay it and not me. So when I read this I was going to hurry up and get my senior pass before the price goes up but in looking for it I found the Access pass which is free anyway so no worries.

[firedoc]

Originally Posted by Squantobon

I don't have a problem with there being some kind of charges for the parks, partly for upkeep and partly to prevent overuse. But that said, I'd prefer if others pay it and not me. So when I read this I was going to hurry up and get my senior pass before the price goes up but in looking for it I found the Access pass which is free anyway so no worries.

The Access Pass is for documented handicapped persons. And it is not free. There is a $10.00 processing fee associated with it. So currently it is the same cost as the senior pass.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by RRR

What is your point? We send a boatload to Israel every year too. Try to buy parts for a Hamat faucet without breaking the bank.

My point is that up until 1982 there were no fee's to enter a park.

We are able to give billions away to foreign countries and I believe we should take care of ourselves first and if there is any money left then send it overseas.

[Wayne MD]

Raising the fee proves nothing. We still won't have improved anything as it is a gov't project and we know how all that works so well. Keep it at 10.00 and if the rich folks want to pay more, let them pay more so it feels good to them. It's a darn good value as intended.

[sd75mac]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Nobody should have to spend a dime to get into a National Park.

We send $200,000,000 to the Philippines alone not to mention all the other third world countries.

Philippines - Total (FY 2012)

[ModestMonk]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Nobody should have to spend a dime to get into a National Park.

We send $200,000,000 to the Philippines alone not to mention all the other third world countries.

Philippines - Total (FY 2012)

My sentiments exactly!

The federal slush fund squandered outside this country is criminal.

[lonfu]

On of the reasons I don't pay national park fee's is that the money is sent over seas as foreign aid. Billions sent to line the personal pockets of foreign politicians. Oh sure, I've been to most of parks at least once, but I'd never go back. $20 for dry camp on land that I paid for with my taxes when I was young. What a rip off......

[pcurt23]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Nobody should have to spend a dime to get into a National Park.

We send $200,000,000 to the Philippines alone not to mention all the other third world countries.

Philippines - Total (FY 2012)

100% agree.

[jpharley]

My spouse's Access Pass was free. If ordered on line, there is a $10 processing fee. We picked his up at Big Bend Natl Park at the gate. By the way, spouse is a disabled Veteran. One does not have to be 100% disabled to get the Access Pass.

[beenthere]

i am going to pick up my access pass this week and if you do it at a government office like blm or the corp ect there is no $10 process fee.. oh and its not for just handicapped but any one disabled or on disability .

Originally Posted by firedoc

The Access Pass is for documented handicapped persons. And it is not free. There is a $10.00 processing fee associated with it. So currently it is the same cost as the senior pass.

[wa8yxm]

I saw this on another forum, passed it on to yet another. I have my Golden Age pass at the current 10 dollar rate.. Glad I do.

Folks. This thread is importan, Mr. Bradley made a major post and thus there is little more I can say other than if you are 62 or older, and do not already have the pass GET IT NOW. Before they jack the price.

[rkresge]

I have a 3-point followup to my previous post in this thread.

1. I misread the bill passed by the House. The price of a 1-year Senior Pass will be $20 under this bill. The lifetime Senior Pass will be set at the same price as the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which is currently $80/year. It's still a lifetime pass for seniors.
2. There's still no sign that the Senate will take up the bill before the holiday recess, in which case I'm not sure what will happen to it. In general, I've had the impression that bills do not carry over from one session to the next. Maybe someone who is more knowledgeable than I can help me out here?
3. If it's eventually passed, there's nothing in the bill that sets a date when fees, etc., will become effective. So it could be immediately upon getting the president's signature, if that happens. Who knows.

We all might want to follow the progress - if any - of H. R. 4680 here:


https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-...ouse-bill/4680


And a P.S.: I sorta think that even at $80 a lifetime Senior Pass may be a real bargain.


Roger