National Park Service budget problems are subject of congressional hearing

May 7, 2019
U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is set to testify before a House appropriations subcommittee Tuesday. Bernhardt is likely to face questions about a severe maintenance backlog in the National Park Service, which says it can’t afford to keep its parks looking like what people expect. “These funding problems really threaten not just the integrity of […]
A volunteer cleans a restroom at Joshua Tree National Park on January 4, 2019 in California.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

How much U.S. debt is too much?

Oct 16, 2018
Balancing the federal budget is a bigger deal for politicians than economists.
The United States could simply make more money to pay its bills, said Stephanie Kelton, an economics professor at Stony Brook University. But taken to an extreme, that could lead to higher inflation.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

How much U.S. debt is too much?

Oct 16, 2018
Balancing the federal budget is a bigger deal for politicians than economists.
The United States could simply make more money to pay its bills, said Stephanie Kelton, an economics professor at Stony Brook University. But taken to an extreme, that could lead to higher inflation.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

It's use-it-or-lose-it season in Washington

Sep 18, 2018
Every year at this time, federal agencies scramble to spend down their budgets.
It's September, spendathon time in Washington, D.C.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Will federal funding fix help prevent forest fires?

Jun 5, 2018
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is holding a hearing on the 2018 Wildland Fire Outlook and Wildland Fire Management Programs today. This comes just a few months after a so-called “fire funding fix” was included in the omnibus spending bill. Last year the costs to fight wildfires exceeded $2 billion. Click the […]

A two-year shutdown of government shutdowns?

Feb 8, 2018
Congress had to pass a budget bill to avoid a shutdown this week. It also had to lift the debt limit or risk the government running out of money in March. So lawmakers packaged the bills. But they aren’t just doubling up on legislation, they’re doubling down on the national debt.   Click the audio […]

The private dollars that help fund our national parks

Oct 25, 2017
The National Park Foundation helps fill the gap when the Park Service's $3 billion budget falls short.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Share the Experience/Angie Marcelynas

For public good, not for profit.

Budget standoffs in three states result in government shutdowns

Jul 3, 2017
Illinois isn't the only state with budget woes.
A view of the New Jersey State House, the area's capitol building.
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

States recover, but can't go on a spending spree

Feb 19, 2016
The states' economies are improving, but unevenly.
Pumpjacks near Watford City, North Dakota. States like North Dakota and Alaska that boomed when oil prices were high are now hurting.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images