Walker, GOP raising state parks user taxes

You will remember that Walker is saying "no" to an increase in the cost of registering a vehicle in Wisconsin because that 'fee' is actually a tax, he said:

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Governor Scott Walker appears to have ruled out higher vehicle registration fees to help reduce his budget plan to borrow $1.3 billion for road work. 

At an appearance in Milwaukee late Thursday, the Republican Walker said motorists would not have a choice in paying the extra fees -- and to him, that would be a tax.

OK...

While Walker is, as we speak, enjoying an "educational" trip to Israel paid for by various supporter and donor groups, and has been treated to numerous taxpayer-supported partisan and self-serving promotional visits the last few months to Iowa, Texas, South Carolina, England, Germany, Spain and France - - to name but a few - - everyday Wisconsinites heading for state parks this summer will pay steeply-increased fees to cover Walker and his legislative allies'  elitist budget tampering:

Walker proposed park fee increases of $2 to $3 and the withdrawal of all tax support for state parks. Lawmakers left the parks without tax revenue, but approved even higher fees.

...the cost of electricity at a campsite would double to $10 a night, base campsite fees would increase to a maximum of $20 from $15 for state residents, while nonresidents would pay a maximum of $25, up from $17.

An additional $3 fee currently can be charged for most sites, because they are considered “high demand.” 

...Annual trail passes would rise to $25 from $20 and daily entrance fees would increase by $1.

The broader context for this degradation of state parks includes Walker's assault on state lands, the environment and their preservation 

Land adjacent to popular Kohler Andrae State Park ticketed for a lakefront golf course

And for all of Walker's plans and partisan politicking, there is a bigger picture:

Scott Walker facts little known outside Wisconsin