Cruise Industry Suing Hawaii Over "Green Fee"

Above, a Honolulu sunset. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Democrats never met a tax they didn't like or hike." This was said many times by President Ronald Reagan. Such is the case with Hawaii.

Hawaii is under Democrat control much like California. They passed a "Green Fee" earlier this year on the tourism industry purportedly to fight climate change, which is bullshit anyway. 

The cruise industry is fighting back and plans on suing the state of Hawaii over this tax that's set to go into effect next year.

USA Today reported:

The cruise industry’s leading trade group is suing Hawaii over a new tax on cruises and other travel accommodations.

The state passed the country’s first “Green Fee” earlier this year, raising its transient accommodations tax by 0.75% to 11% to fund climate change resiliency projects and other environmental efforts. The increased fee, set to take effect in 2026, applies to hotels, vacation rentals and – for the first time – cruises.

Cruise Lines International Association said, in an Aug. 27 lawsuit filed in the District of Hawaii, that the change violates federal law, in part because it conflicts with the U.S. Constitution’s Tonnage Clause.

Honolulu Ship Supply Co., Kaua’i Kilohana Partners and Aloha Anuenue Tours LLC are also listed as plaintiffs. They contend that the requirements place an undue burden on cruise lines and passengers and risk undermining Hawaii cruise tourism.

To read more, go here.

Will Hawaii's $100M Tourist Climate Fee Actually Fix Anything?

Tourists to Hawaii will be levied a new tax allegedly earmarked to fight climate change.

Need I remind you that Hawaii's state government is dominated by radical leftist Democrats (like California) who love to impose more new taxes on people.

From Beat of Hawaii:

Nearly 10 million people visit Hawaii each year. Now, all of them will help fund the first-in-the-nation climate resilience fee designed to raise $100 million annually in its first and likely not last levy. This will be paid primarily by visitors as a function of an additional accommodation tax. That new law, just signed by Governor Josh Green, brings those taxes to about 19% and, for the first time, applies them to cruise ships.

Supporters call it groundbreaking, while critics call it another vague money grab. Either way, the stakes are high. The critical question is: Can this fee deliver what Hawaii says it will? It is one of Hawaii’s boldest new promises, with high stakes.

To read more, go here. 

Mexico Passes $42 Immigration Tax for Cruise Passengers

There's nothing like being welcomed as a tourist to a foreign country. Unless, of course, that country wants to charge tourists an immigration levy who arrive aboard a cruise ship.

According to AP News:

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Cruise ship industry players are up in arms after the lower house of Mexico’s Congress voted this week to charge a $42 immigration levy for every passenger on cruise ships that dock in Mexico.

Two-thirds of the money raised, moreover, would go to the Mexican army, not to improve port facilities.

The Mexican Association of Shipping Agents cried foul late Thursday, saying the charges could make Mexico uncompetitively expensive for cruise ships.

In the past, cruise ship passengers had been exempted from the immigration fee, because they sleep aboard the vessels and some don’t even get off the ship during port calls. They would apparently be charged the $42 fee anyway, according to the new budget law.

To read more, go here. 

RV Park Site Lock Fee

Above, camping at a KOA Kampground in West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here is something that I have never encountered. It is a "site lock fee" that some RV parks tack on when a person reserves a campsite.

According to an article in RV Travel, the site lock fee makes perfect sense for RV park owners.

The article starts with:

In the video below from RV Miles, one of the winners of the 2024 RV video awards, we get news of yet another fee that campground owners are tacking on to reservations. Plenty of RVers are not too happy about site lock fees. In the video, host Jason Epperson explains these controversial fees. 

To read more and view the video, go here.

High Dump Station Fees Discussed

Above, the dump station at Malibu Creek State Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The topic of campground charges for using their dump station came up at RV Travel.

This involves people stopping at a campground that they're not staying at while on the road. I had to do this in September while on the way home from Ridgway, Colorado. The sewer cap at my campsite was wedged tight and so was the empty neighboring campsite's. I decided I wasn't going to waste my time in struggling to get one or the other off. So I just left.

Along the way, I stopped at Alpen Rose RV Park in Durango and used theirs. They charged a fee of $15.00, even though I was in their computer as a two-time customer. I'm used to $10.00 fees for dump station usage, but felt $15.00 wasn't too outrageous. So I paid it, emptied my tanks and was on my way.

When I lived in California, I would use the dump station at the Malibu Creek State Park Campground. A $5.00 fee was charged.

The article begins with a couple's experience with a KOA Kampground that charged them $50.00 to use their dump station.

Here's a snippet:

John and Casey reported, “KOA charged us $50 to empty our tanks yesterday. Is that the going rate now?”

“Hold on,” Cliff interrupted. “You mean all you did was dump your holding tanks? $50 is outrageous!

In agreement about dump station fees

Almost everyone around the campfire agreed that KOA’s fee was far too expensive. Newbies Jeff and Marla wondered, “Why not just empty tanks at the campground where you spend the night?” Cliff explained that often small-town parks, for example, may not offer sewer hookups or a dump station.

There were reasons given why fees are charged by campgrounds. They include inconsiderate campers, environmental regulations and to help pay for amenities.

To read more, go here.

Why Do Some National Parks Charge An Entrance Fee?

Above, Yellowstone National Park's South Entrance Gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yahoo! News has posted an article on, "Why do some national parks charge an entrance fee?" 

Frankly, I think the better question would be, "Why do some national parks don't charge an entrance fee?"

Regardless, the article is informative as it explains where the money generated goes to and what for.

This has not been an issue for me, especially after I turned 62 and got the Senior Lifetime Pass. I got it for $10, before the cost went up to $80. Still, even at $80, it is well worth having. Visiting three national parks in one trip would essentially make the Pass pay for itself.

The article begins with:

(NEXSTAR) — There is no question that the more than 400 national parks, monuments, seashores, historic sites, recreation areas, and other sites overseen by the National Park Service are stunning.

But before you can visit some, you may have to pay.

Across the entire National Park Service, which includes 425 units, only 109 charge an entrance fee.

Nearly all have a park-specific annual pass, ranging from $35 to $70. Many also have fees per vehicle, person or motorcycle that vary from $5 to $35. If you’re a frequent visitor to many national parks or federal recreational lands, you may want the America The Beautiful annual pass worth $80.

At this point, you may have had a common realization: we pay federal taxes, which can be used to fund the National Park Service, so why do I need to pay to get into a national park at all?

To read more, go here.

2nd Amendment Group Sues San Jose Over Gun Bill

It was inevitable that the city of San Jose, California would be sued over their sweeping new gun bill, but sued they were.

Yahoo News reported:

A gun rights group has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Jose, California, after the city passed a gun bill it argues will reduce firearms-related incidents.

"The City of San Jose has taken the unprecedented step of requiring virtually all gun owners within its city limits to pay unspecified sums of money to private insurance companies and an unspecified fee to an unidentified government-chosen non-profit simply to exercise their constitutional right to own a gun," reads a lawsuit filed by the National Association for Gun Rights Tuesday.

At issue is bill passed Tuesday by the City of San Jose that will require gun owners to purchase liability insurance and pay "use fees" that the city plans to invest in "evidence-based initiatives to reduce gun harm."

To read more, go here.

National Park Service Announces Entrance Fee-Free Days for 2022

Above, an entrance gate of Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The National Park Service has announced the entrance fee-free days for 2022.

These are the days people can enter a national park for free.

According to the Sierra Sun Times:

December 28, 2021 - WASHINGTON – The National Park Service will have five entrance fee-free days in 2022. The free admission days are designed to encourage discovery and visitation of the country’s variety of national parks. With at least one in every state, national parks are accessible places to visit to refresh body, mind and spirit.

The free entrance dates for 2022 are: 

• Monday, January 17 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 
• Saturday, April 16 – First Day of National Park Week 
• Thursday, August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act 
• Saturday, September 24 – National Public Lands Day 
• Friday, November 11 – Veterans Day 

To read more, go here. 

National Per-mile Motor Vehicle User Fee Snuck Into Infrastructure Bill

The socialist Democrats and a few RINO Republicans in congress are trying to pass a so-called infrastructure bill, purportedly to rebuild aging bridges, roads and other dilapidated structures in the country.

What they aren't telling us is that they are sneaking in a national motor vehicle mileage "user fee" on passenger cars, light trucks, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks on a "trial basis". When it comes to government, there's no such thing as "trial basis"). As Ronald Reagan once said, "The closest thing to eternal life is a government bureau."

Here's some snippets from an article posted by the Western Journal:

The cost of living is on the rise, calls for yet another wave of pandemic restrictions have begun and now, buried deep in the so-called bipartisan infrastructure bill, the left has laid out yet another idea to bring Americans to their knees.

Make no mistake: The suffering is intentional, goal-oriented and not bound to stop anytime soon.

Still, one proposal in the 2,702 page infrastructure bill seems especially cruel — cruel enough to make it too expensive for many Americans to even drive a car.

Nick Short of the Claremont Institute highlighted an item on Pages 508-519 of the bill that would introduce a national per-mile motor vehicle user fee on a trial basis.

“Buried on page 508 of the 2,702 page infrastructure bill is a pilot program for a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee (MBUF) which is basically a long-term plan to make it too expensive to drive a car,” Short said Tuesday on Twitter.

The left can chalk up this test run of what eventually might turn into a full-blown measure to make owning a vehicle next-to-impossible as an effort to be “environmentally conscious,” but is it instead another way to cripple our existing ways of life?

To read the full article, go here.

Visit National Parks Free This Saturday, April 17

Above, South Entrance into Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To kick-off National Parks Week, the National Park Service has announced that visitors to our national parks can enter free this Saturday.

USA Today reported:

As spring starts to lure people outdoors, it may be the perfect time to go to a national park – for free. 

Park fees are waived Saturday, the first day of National Park Week, at sites that charge an entrance fee. You'll still have to pay fees for camping, transportation, activities and tours.

The celebration kicks off Saturday and runs through Sunday, April 25, and parks across the country will host a variety of special programs, events and digital experiences, according to the National Park Service.

To read more, go here. 

Lifetime Senior National Park Pass

Above, one of the entrances into Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On August 28, 2017, the lifetime senior national parks pass price was hiked from $10 to $80. I was lucky to get mine at the $10 price.

The lifetime senior national parks pass is for senior Americans from age 62 and up. 

Some of the benefits includes free access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six federal agencies:

• National Park Service
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• US Forest Service
• US Army Corps of Engineers

Even though the lifetime senior national parks pass price was hiked to $80, it is still a great deal if it gets a lot of usage. 

This link shows the various entrance fees of each national park. As you can see, visiting just three national parks who charge $30 per carload in one summer season would more than pay for the pass.

For more information on the lifetime senior national parks pass, go here.

Mustang Registration Done

Above, the 1989 Mustang. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little while ago, I renewed my 1989 Mustang's registration for two years. By renewing online, it gives citizens a 5% discount.

The total came to $70.45.

Had I still reside in California, the fees would be much more than that for just one year's registration renewal. That's not even counting the bi-annual smog check that costs $70+. I don't have to do that in New Mexico. Obviously, New Mexico is a much better deal.

That's another reason why I fled Commiefornia!

I don't have to renew The Beast (2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R) until next year. I renewed it for two years last year. The same goes for the Jeep.

2021 National Park Fee-Free Days

Above, Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Each year, several days are set aside for free admission to our national parks.

Do It Yourself RV has listed them for 2021. So mark your calendars!

They wrote:

Exciting news from the U.S. Department of Interior! They have announced 6 days where there will be no fees to enter the national parks. This means that entrance to all the National Park Service sites will be fee-free!

The 6 fee-free days in 2021 are:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 18 

• First day of National Park Week – Saturday, April 17 

• Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act – Wednesday, August 4 

• National Park Service Birthday – Wednesday, August 25 

• National Public Lands Day – Saturday, September 25 

• Veterans Day – Thursday, November 11

 To read more and see a video, go here.

2021 National Parks Entrance-Fee-Free Days Announced

Above, the South Entrance gate to Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armad Vaquer.

Six entrance-fee-free days for our national parks for 2021 has been announced by the National Park Service.

These days will allow visitors to enter parks in the national park system without having to pay an entrance fee. This does not include camping fees.

According to the National Parks Traveler:

Six days in 2021 will be entrance-fee-free days in the National Park System.

The dates for 2021 are:

• Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 

• Saturday, April 17 – First Day of National Park Week 

• Wednesday, August 4 – One year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act 

• Wednesday, August 25 – National Park Service Birthday 

• Saturday, September 25 – National Public Lands Day 

• Thursday, November 11 – Veterans Day 

“Each of the fee-free days celebrates or commemorates a significant event, including the establishment earlier this year by President Trump of the Great American Outdoors Act. The legislation marks the single largest investment ever in national parks and will result in enhanced facilities and expanded recreational prospects for all visitors,” said Margaret Everson, the acting director of the National Park Service.

To read more, go here.

Celebrate National Park Service's 103rd Birthday, Free Day Sunday

Above, the Colorado River is still carving into the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who do not have a national park pass of any kind, are low income or just plain too cheap (only kidding) to pay an entrance fee to any of the national parks and sites, they're in luck.

Roadtrippers reported:

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act into law, thereby establishing the National Park Service (NPS). To celebrate its 103rd birthday, the NPS is waiving entrance fees to all national park sites across the U.S. on August 25. It’s one of five fee-free days in 2019 (the two remaining ones are National Public Lands Day on September 18 and Veterans Day on November 11).  

The National Park System includes 419 sites covering more than 85 million acres throughout the country. In addition to 61 national parks, it also includes national monuments, national historical parks, national seashores, and more. The newest national park was established in February of this year, with the upgrade of Indiana Dunes from national lakeshore to national park. 

To read more, go here. 

National Park Senior Pass Still A Bargain

Above, the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two years ago this month, the Senior National Park Pass (for seniors 62 and up) cost jumped from $10 to $80.

Many seniors scrambled to get the pass before the price increased on August 28, 2017. But, although the cost jumped up, it is still a bargain if it is used.

For example, this past week I visited Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The fee at each park per vehicle is $35. So, if I didn't have a senior pass (I bought mine 2016 when it was $10), I could have paid $70 (some parks have a reciprocal program that if one visits more than one national park within a certain period of time, the fee may be waived. But check with the entrance station.). That's $10 shy of the cost of the Senior Pass today.

So it is still well worth it to get a Senior National Park Pass for seniors 62 and older.