Included in the Connecticut Democrats’ budget proposal is an increase to Connecticut’s Passport to the Parks fee, which is included in the cost of vehicle registration, that allows Connecticut residents to attend state parks without paying for parking.
According to the fiscal note attached to the bill, the Passport to Parks fee will increase from $15 for a triennial registration, $10 for a biannual registration, and $5 for an annual registration to $24, $16, and $8 respectively beginning in fiscal year 2026. The Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) estimates this will bring in an additional $10.5 million per year to the Passport to the Parks account starting in FY 2026.
The increase in funds will be used, in part, to support the maintenance and operation of Batterson Park, a long-defunct park owned by Hartford that leaders in Hartford, Farmington and New Britain, along with nonprofit groups, have tried in vain to get reopened for years.
The bill would allow the City of Hartford to enter a memorandum of agreement with Riverfront Recapture, a nonprofit group that operates four riverfront parks, to maintain Batterson Park with grants from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) with an estimated cost of $500,000 per year, and to maintain Thames River Heritage Park at a cost of $200,000, which then decreases to $50,000 in FY 2031 before ending.
The fee, created in 2017 under Gov. Dannel Malloy’s administration, supports Connecticut’s state park operating costs. Out of state visitors are still required to pay the parking fees. While the new fee was praised by many as a steady funding stream for state parks, some drivers saw it as another fee attached to their vehicle registration that they may not use.
The current fees generate roughly $16 million per year; however, the OFA indicates that the Passport to the Parks account will be spent down from $13.6 million to $6.3 million before the new, higher fees begin.
During a press conference before debate on the budget, House Speaker Matthew Ritter, D-Hartford, said they would have had to raise the Passport to Park fee regardless of funding Batterson or Thames Park because of inflation.
“Admittedly, it’s a little higher because Batterson is included and Valley Thames,” Ritter said. He added that the funding for Batterson Park is not a state takeover of the park but said the legislature is done dealing with the Batterson Park issue.
“We have done our job, get the park open,” Ritter said. “You have all the money and resources you need. Get it open and let kids enjoy it. Don’t call us again, please.”
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They were going to raise the price anyway. No truer words have ever been said.
Disgusting. Where is a pitchfork and mob when you need one.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
NEW MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION ARE NEEDED. RIPPING OFF RETIRED SENIOR CITIZENS ARE FORCED TO PAY $$$$ FOR UNUSED SERVICES.
I totally agree. Being retired and on a fixed budget. CT residents are being taxed, and charged higher fees for what. Not fair at all. Car taxes are really getting ridiculous. Do something positive for us as long time residents…. Very sad….
This is totally u acceptable. This is a violation of CT citizens constitutional rights.
Connecticut is such a greedy state all these extra fees on our tax bills. They tax seniors social security and it adds up to Millions of dollars a year where all that money really go its not to run parks that tax alone brings in 10.5 million a year and ill bet a friction of that goes to parks. Cost of living is the reason residents are leaving CT it diffidently not a retirement state.
It’s a slight increase in price, but helps retain some of Connecticut’s best features. I think it’s a great investment. @Haywood J Bloome – why is this disgusting? The total fee is less than visiting 3 parks. For a state with 142 state parks and forests covering over 255,000 acres, the fee is a bargain. The benefits of having the state parks and forests are numerous, even for those who have never stepped foot in one.
The total fee is PER vehicle. No bargain for residents that never visit the parks…but wow, what a bargain for non-residents! They don’t even man the gate at the park near me…so, all those lucky folks from RI, MA, and NY get in for free. Taxation without representation. I would much rather see a user’s fee then the state keep taxing its residents.
Me too! I didn’t even go to the parks.
This is not a freedom! We are being forced to paya I personally do not use State Parks. They are poorly cleaned and supervised. No life guards. Quaddick State Park is a breeding ground for illegal immigrants from RI. They come in over the weekends taking over the park drinking with weed and drug use. Set up huge speakers and blast their music so loud yuu can hear into the next county! Residents are fed up but can do nothing as the parks are not owned by the towns. Lamounts office is an embarrassment. I called several times. They do not care. Their artitude is too bad for you! These forced fees are unconstitutional! How is this possible? Unbelievable corruption!!
This is a violation of of constitutional right of the residents of Connecticut. We are being forced through the DMW to pay for park services for all the states come in for free. We need to write to Congress and put in complaints so that they can review this serious problem this is a complete travesty. We all need to write to Congress complaint line for violation of Rights.
Scott: It’s wonderful that you think it is a great investment, however, that doesn’t mean you get to force anyone else to pay for what you think is “best,” “great,” “a bargain,” or even “beneficial.”
Other people would rather have money for food, home improvements, helping others, or really anything else important to them. This $5-24 is just one of more than 340 taxes and fees in Connecticut, all suffering from the same problem.
Even if it were $0.01, it’s not yours to take (or delegate someone else to take). Please consider being more respectful of your neighbor’s hard-earned money and happiness.
Amen!
This is totally u acceptable. This is a violation of CT citizens constitutional rights. Yes, they don’t have employees to man the gates for outsiders to pay. It’s stinking lie and out of Staters get in free in most State Parks and they forced a pot of gold for themselves off the back of CT residents. Raising the rate again. Every year they raise the rates! At what point does it stop? Also, CT residents are charged for every vehicle they have including businesses. They will keep doing it as a form of revenue. This should be brought before the Supreme Court. It’s a violation of our constitutional rights.
Yes, they don’t have employees to man the gates for outsiders to pay. It’s stinking lie. Raising the rate again! Every year they raise the rates! At what point does it stop? Also, CT residents are being charged for every vehicle they have including businesses. They will keep doing it as a form of revenue. This should be brought before the Supreme Court. It’s a violation of our constitutional rights.
It’s disgusting because if you don’t go to the parks you shouldn’t be charged a fee ahead of time therefore ones like me who dont care to go anywhere anymore should be refunded! They already took $30 from me these past two registrations!!!!! I have the right to that unused money!!!!!! I am when I have the chance would like to talk to a lawyer on this unconstitutional control etc. I can not believe there hasn’t been a lawsuit yet. Just like sick day etc pay being forced on businesses!!!!! If you don’t like company’s policies as everyone has done; look for a job that has benefits you’re looking for. This state is so controlling I want to throw up.
I 100% agree. I don’t go to the parks. My employer provides me with short/long term leave, I shouldn’t have to pay for the state’s leave, which I’ll never use
Pay for usage, like most things work, Scott! How are the benefits there, if you’re not utilizing them? Ct. sales tax, instituted oh, so many years ago, was supposed to be temporary! Hah! Another excuse for another money grab! There are MANY other beneficial and numerous things NEEDED by many of us! Cutting back on necessities to fund non-essentials, especially in our present hyper-inflation debacle phase, can make life harder for too many of us! We need to find more ways to reduce our obscene taxes in this state!
And, likely, a few years will go by. and they’ll find a way to reinstitute the for all visitors; and, of course, leave in the added cost of registration! Any way to squeeze every last penny!
A lot of peoplr do not use State parks. We are forced to pay. This is illegal to force paymeny on residents who dont use State parks to generate funds. They are filthy and bacteria ridden with Geese Feces!
You’re out of your mind it’s unconstitutional and they are getting away with it! Many of us don’t use the state parks would rather pay if we decide to use the park at the door like Outsiders do. Most of the parks are not kept clean they’re disgusting. I don’t live anywhere near the park that you’re talking about why should we be forced to pay for parks that we don’t even use when outsider can just pay at the door? Many of the parks were closed it was in the newspapers over the summer no one else could go in cuz they were over full what about the Connecticut residents that paid a forced to pay while outsiders get in!
Something needs to be done about this!
The point here is our rights are being violated by forced fees. We have the right to decide if we will give our money to use the State Parks or not. Just like other people coming from others states. The parks are closed when CT residents want to get in because of out of staters filling up the parks capacity. They are filthy and most dont have life guards with signs saying “dont swim” or swim at your own risk.
If you want to visit a state park, be my guest, knock yourself out! You can pay your fee to enter. I am also retired & on a fixed income, stop adding taxes to the car registration fee !!!
What about fees out of state residents pay to enter a park? Such as Hammonasett… will the fee increase for them as well?? It should!!
Where is all the money from the taxes on the legalized marijuana going? Most states that legalized it have no state income tax and never need to increase fees or taxes due to the increase in revenue from this new source of funds.
Smh CT is too expensive and we are all overtaxed and nickel and aimed to death!
Warning, nothing is free when it comes from the government. This is just another example of it. Free parking is a sham…the taxpayer is paying for it, it is not free.
Charge for parking for those who use the parks! Stop charging everyone.
This should be one flat fee not per registration.its another rip off by the state of CT. People should be contacting the state and complaining about this. Noone fights for their rights anymore.
I don’t have an issue with this at all . Is only when renewal a car registration. I don’t have to worry about paying everytime I go to state park. Other states charge almost double just for one day..
Evidently you’re not a senior or disabled vet that lost their no charge access to parks. Yes, the Passport to Park TAX eliminated those people’s no charge access. This broad based TAX on everyone’s vehicle registration (regardless of going to a park or not) also forces every family and individual with more than one registered vehicle to pay multiple times. Passport to Pakrs changed a long standing usage charge to a TAX on nearly everyone regardless of use. It’s simply unfair and dumb.
Another ripoff to the residents of CT. I have not used any of the parks because I am disabled and on a very fixed income and my driving is limited to grocery shopping. My son who has terminal cancer received a $.05 increase an hour raise also has not nor intends to visit a state park. Every penny is needed for medical costs. You are taxing the very vulnerable for the enjoyment of a few. People should have an opt out if they are not interested to go to the state parks. Mr Ritter use some of the $400,000 million surplus that was on the front page of the Courant this week. Two or more cars per household are charged for both cars the same fees. Let’s charge per household not by each car. If you have two cars that’s $48.00. Two people in a household are not going to go to a state park in separate cars. Get real. The legislature spends our money like drunken bums. We are sick of this.
Plain and simple. It’s wrong. If I go to the park I expect to pay my way. If I don’t go I don’t expect to pay for someone else’s.
I don’t mind paying for the parks but other people’s crumbling Fondation electric bills pain leaves what the hell is the state income tax for and you tax my SS can’t win time to move
Now the state is double dipping! https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/fairfield/parking-reservation-system-in-effect-at-connecticut-state-park/
Money should be spent on state parks only. We don’t need another wasteful give away program.
The corruption is the out of state cars that pay nothing
How is this corruption?
We are being forced to pay whether we like it or not! While outsiders don’t have to pay unless they decide to use the parks. We should have the same options!
I have four registered vehicles and use the state parks 2 or 3 times a year. Since all this money gets dropped into the black hole of the general fund the state parks still find themselves under staffed and begging for funding.
Once again all the revenue schemes like lottery and casino gambling do not benefit anything that we were promised they would.
Many of the parks are filthy and not taking care of properly. Some of the smaller parks have signs saying swim at your own risk no lifeguards it’s a money grab! It’s unlawful and they’re getting away with it!
Since it was first created the Passport to Parks TAX harmed seniors, disabled vets, and people with more than one registered vehicle. There have been numerous proposals from multiple legislators to repeal or change it but all have been defeated by the CFPA and other environmental extremists. This increase is terrible and should be repealed.
Scantic river park in Enfield is over run with out of staters. We can’t even enjoy it and I live in town. So glad I get to pay for all the out of towners enjoyment while we suffer
I never visit state parks! and not to mention the The Clean Air Act fee and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction fee. We already have to pay for emissions test. CT is the tax you to death state! It’s sickening. “There are currently no restrictions on the use of CAA fee revenue, except that it is split between the General Fund and the STF,” the OLR report says. “Thus, the money collected from the fee can be used for any General Fund or STF expenditure.”
A review of Connecticut’s Clean Air Account revenue going back ten years shows that $80.2 million went into the General Fund, while $97.7 million was deposited to the STF.