No matter how you cut it, unless President Obama decides to veto some items, the FY 2010 budget for the National Park Service is going to be up roughly $200 million from the current funding level.
The FY 2009 budget stands at $2.5 billion, and the president's 2010 budget requested nearly $2.7 billion for the parks. That alone was a bump of $170.1 million from 2009. Well, the appropriations measures moving through the House and Senate contain even more money for the Park Service.
In the House, the markup shows a Park Service budget of $2.73 billion (or $208 million above 2009 levels), while the Senate version reflects $2.71 billion (or $185.9 million above 2009 levels).
What remains to be seen is how the conference committees come to terms on the differences.
Fine print: The federal budget year starts October 1. Since the Congress failed to pass an FY 2010 budget by the first, the government is operating on the 2009 funding levels through the end of the month.
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Comments
As a Californian, I fear for the future of our state parks, but it's heartening to know that not all park agencies are completely broke.
The nps needs to pay attention to the infrastructure of its people before it spends more cash on buildings, expansion of boundaries, and fancy publications. The nps practices slave labor, poor treatment of seasonal and permanent employees, and is a good 'ol boy network.
I know you won't let this be posted, but it is the truth.
I'm sorry to have to say that Anon may be right. After a few seasons, I got the clue that our volunteer crew was being asked to do a lot that maybe paid employees should be doing. The paid rangers put their game face on for the public, but we could tell some were sullen and resentful - especially those who had been seasonals for many years. The younger ones seemed happy enough - but they didn't expect much from the service and many were going back to school anyway. They were the ones who actually seemed appreciative of the volunteers. Most of the rangers, though, were rather cold to us - and some were downright rude, almost as if we were intruding on their turf. I was proud to serve, but I won't go back next season. What a disappointment. I understand Mr. Jarvis came up through the ranks - maybe he will make his employees feel more valued. For the sake of my beloved park I certainly hope so.