Washington motorists appear willing to ante up to make up for budget cuts to state parks.
In adopting the 2009-2011 budget, lawmakers cut $52 million in operating funds from the state parks budget, but set up a donation system that added a $5 parks donation to vehicle registration renewals unless the vehicle owner opted out.
Lawmakers estimated that the program would bring in $28 million over the two-year budget, and stipulated that 40 parks otherwise faced with closure would remain open if sufficient revenue was collected.
In its first month, the parks department reported receiving $1.4 million through the program, which would be enough to keep the parks open if donations continue at that pace.
