I’m a big fan of parks and green spaces. Maybe this is because I grew up in the country. But while I love the amenities that the City has to offer, there’s something ultimately satisfying about taking a walk along a tree lined alley, clamoring over boulders to see what’s on the other side and yes, occasionally stepping over a venomous snake of death (okay, it was really a nonpoisonous Northern water snake but it felt like a venomous snake of death).
We’re lucky in the US to have a fairly significant system of local, state and national parks. They come in all shapes and sizes. And they’re largely funded with taxpayer dollars.
I try to patronize as many as I can. In fact, we’re traipsing up to go camping in one of our state parks this weekend… I figure, since we have them, why not use them?
The Department of the Interior realizes that taxpayers may be feeling the crunch this summer and might skip national parks as a vacation site. In an effort to stimulate travel, all 147 National Park Service sites that charge entry fees will waive them for three weekends this summer.
The fee free weekends are:
Mark your calendars for fee-free weekends this summer:
- June 20-21, 2009 (Father’s Day weekend – hint, hint)
- July 18-19, 2009
- August 15-16, 2009
Some parks have gone even further and are offering additional savings throughout the summer.
Originally created in 1916, the NPS now comprises 390 areas covering more than 84 million acres in 49 States (sorry, Delaware!), the District of Columbia and a number of US territories.
In 2007, the NPS had a budget of $2.289 billion dollars, with revenues of just over $300 million. However, the NPS is estimated to bring more than $10 billion dollars to local economies each year. With a nod to those numbers, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the NPS promotion by saying, “National parks also serve as powerful economic engines for local communities, and we hope that promoting visitation will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area.”
In a year when many small businesses are struggling, consider paying a visit to your local park – and buy an ice cream or bird book from a local merchant. Think of it as your own stimulus package.
Colorado senator Ken Salazar, who bested Coors beer Pete Coors for his Senate seat in 2004, has been mocked for his ignorance of the US Tax Code.
Salazar, a fifth-generation Colorado rancher, touted himself as a man of the people, claiming that he understood the struggles of the working class and would create jobs and boost education funding. Apparently, however, he does not understand tax returns of the working class – or the wealthy, for that matter.
Senator Salazar recently supported a bill in Congress which continues subsidies to farmers with adjusted gross incomes of $750,000 or less. The bill passed.
The bill is estimated to cost taxpayers $289 billion over five years. Commodity-based subsidies for rice, cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops will cost about $43 billion. The remainder of the package funds crop insurance, conservation programs and “domestic food aid.”
Senator Salazar’s colleague, Senator Allard, said about the bill, “I’m disappointed that it does so little to reform government subsidies, particularly to wealthy individuals.” He was, of course, pointing to those who have adjusted gross incomes as high as $750,000 per farmer or $1.5 million for married farmers. He nonetheless voted in favor of the bill.
However, The Denver Post quoted Senator Salazar as saying, “That number doesn’t take into account deductions for the cost of running a farm.” He continued, “A farmer with an adjusted gross income of $750,000 might be losing his shirt” after paying for fuel, a new tractor and other expenses.”
Hmm. Sounds compelling, huh? Only Senator Salazar is wrong. Adjusted gross income is computed after deductions for farming expenses. Just take a peek at the front page of your form 1040.
So, yeah, under the new bill, you can be a millionaire and receive a subsidy. In some circumstances, there is no requirement to plant the land at all in order to receive a subsidy.
It’s amazing that politicians such as Senator Salazar are willing to play fast and loose with our tax dollars without even knowing the facts. And somewhere, a rich farmer is thanking him for it.
(My quick disclaimer: I was raised in rural North Carolina. I have friends and relatives who farmed. I am not anti-farmer, nor am I anti-aid. I am anti-waste. And I am especially anti-”not knowing the rules when you make policy.”)
