Transforming Washington's Budget

Browse Ideas with tag 'fee':

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  Effective Government »

  Stop supporting programs meant to fund themselves

  In many states, licensing and inspection programs do not charge enough fees to cover the program costs. In these cases, the program is then also supported with state general fund dollars. I suggest that a thorough review of all programs funded with restricted dollars be done and fees increased to cover the real cost of doing business. In addtion, in many cases, the true cost of running these programs is not addresed ...more »

  In many states, licensing and inspection programs do not charge enough fees to cover the program costs. In these cases, the program is then also supported with state general fund dollars. I suggest that a thorough review of all programs funded with restricted dollars be done and fees increased to cover the real cost of doing business. In addtion, in many cases, the true cost of running these programs is not addresed as space and other support costs are not appropriately allocated and charged to these programs. Embarking on this approach would then free up state funds.

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  Submitted by David Pike 2 years ago

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  Natural Resources »

  Use of Tax/Fee Funds for Purposes Unrelated to the Tax/Fee

  There is often a discontinuity between the stated reason for a tax or fee and the use of the revenue that tax or fee generates. Take for example a topic near and dear to my heart, the ORV tag, where I pay a fee annually but reap only minimal value for that money. While I understand and appreciate that not every worthwhile program has a dedicated tax or fee funding it, and, hence, the need for a general fund, it seems ...more »

  There is often a discontinuity between the stated reason for a tax or fee and the use of the revenue that tax or fee generates. Take for example a topic near and dear to my heart, the ORV tag, where I pay a fee annually but reap only minimal value for that money. While I understand and appreciate that not every worthwhile program has a dedicated tax or fee funding it, and, hence, the need for a general fund, it seems to me a dishonest practice to take money for a seemingly specific purpose only to use that money in other ways.

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  Submitted by Greg Sharp 2 years ago

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  Effective Government »

  State should charge a "house call fee" for technical assistance

  Several state agencies provide free technical services to private landowners such as DNR Forest Practices Foresters, Small Landowner Foresters, and I'm sure other state agencies (not just natural resource agencies) do the same for no charge. Perhaps there should be a fee for these "house calls" that landowners are getting at taxpayer expense. Sometimes people need site specific assistance but a most of the time I think ...more »

  Several state agencies provide free technical services to private landowners such as DNR Forest Practices Foresters, Small Landowner Foresters, and I'm sure other state agencies (not just natural resource agencies) do the same for no charge. Perhaps there should be a fee for these "house calls" that landowners are getting at taxpayer expense. Sometimes people need site specific assistance but a most of the time I think they're just too lazy or cheap to drive to the nearest Agency's office so we all end up paying for the house call.

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  1 comment for Idea: State should charge a "house call fee" for technical assistance

  Submitted by Nathan West 2 years ago

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