Ah, the great outdoors. Washington State has over nearly 7 million acres of lush rainforest and beautiful beaches, all protected by the State to ensure the generations to come have the opportunity to revel and recreate. And beginning next week, it'll only cost them $10 per day. more ›

The warm spring weather must be going to the heads of the folks in the State House, those busy little worker bees passing House bills left and right, and last night their attention was focused on state parks, as they passed a bill that will add a $5 opt-out fee on driver's license renewals. We're not upset about the $5 itself, but how those tricksters are trying to get it, placing the fee there in the "hopes" that we don't notice and select to opt-out. (You know it would be written in size 8 font.) The bill is now off to the Senate, where we hope it becomes opt-in. more ›

A proposal that might end up in front of the state legislature in bill form is targeted at suckers like Seattlest, well-intentioned but busy people who would help if helping was made stupidly easy. The proposal would automatically tack on $5 to every Washington car tab fee, and that extra money would go towards keeping state parks open and maintained. Anyone could opt out of paying the extra fee. The option to give $5 for park maintenance is already in effect, but with a slight difference: you have to check a box saying you do want to give the state more of your hard-earned cash. more ›