| |
"Pretty sneaky"
A
Sept. 15 editorial by Marvin F. Case, Publisher of The Reflector
newspaper
This editorial written by Marvin F. Case, Publisher of
The Reflector newspaper,
appeared Sept. 15. With his permission, I have posted the entire piece
below:
A letter to this newspaper alerted this writer
to a new fee hidden in the billing for vehicle tabs. The hidden fee was
mentioned in a newsletter issued last week by State Rep. Jaime Herrera.
In the past, people had the option of donating $5 or more to state
parks when paying for their auto tabs. That was an acceptable program.
Many people chose to contribute to the state parks fund. Most people
enjoy parks and benefit from them.
But more recently the state
legislature decided to add the fee into the cost of an auto tab and
people would have to remove it, if they so chose, when paying the tab
fee.
As Rep. Herrera points out, the “opt out” process is both
hidden and confusing. People end up paying the fee unknowingly. Instead
of consciously choosing to donate $5 to state parks, the fee is
automatically included in the auto tab bill and the consumer is
challenged to figure that out and determine whether and how to remove
it. As it is now, the fee is no longer optional; removing the fee
becomes optional.
Rep. Herrera wonders in her newsletter whether
the hidden fee violates the state’s Consumer Protection Act which
prohibits unfair or deceptive acts.
The change from “opt in” to
“opt out” was likely motivated by the notion that people wouldn’t
notice, wouldn’t understand that it could be removed, or couldn’t figure
out how to remove it. Officials must think the state will collect more
money from this approach. Why else would they make this change?
Area residents may wish to examine their auto tab renewal notices to
identify the “optional” $5 fee and then decide what to do about it.
Those who have already paid to renew license tabs may wish to review
their receipts and pursue a refund of the hidden fee if they so choose.
The refund process begins at www.parks.wa.gov, then clicking on
“Donations” on the left side, and on “Donation Refund Request Form” at
the bottom. The refund process requires a mail-in form and copies of
documents.
State officials should end this masquerade and display
the fee as it was before–an option.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Deputy Communications Director | (360) 786-5758
|
|