Question

Suppose your state provides a number of parks with majestic mountains, beautiful beaches, and unspoiled wilderness areas. These parks were acquired and operated in the past using the state's general tax revenue. Now the state proposed to charge a daily entrance fee of $10 per vehicle, with the revenue earmarked for the "state park fund" (to be used for operating expenses, capital improvements, and acquisition of new parks). At a public hearing on the proposal, one citizen complained, "It is unfair to require taxpayers who have paid for these parks with their tax dollars to now also pay a fee to use them." As director of the state parks department, how would you respond to this citizen?

Answer 1