National Parks
I recently read an article on the National Parks in Washington state. Our parks are priceless jewels, and their beauty and grandeur are recognized throughout the Northwest and indeed the entire world. More and more people are hiking their trails, climbing their mountains, and enjoying their awe inspiring beauty. Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic Parks being in close proximity to densely populated Puget Sound attract many return visitors, supplementing those from other states and countries who inject significant dollars into area economies. Despite the popularity of our parks, DOGE slashed management budgets by 25% in January 2025 and ended the controlled entry reservation system designed to ease the overcrowding of entry roads, parking lots, and visitors centers. As predicted then, today there are long lines for restrooms, which can lack toilet paper and other amenities. In addition to the budget cuts, park entrance fees have been redirected to the other Washington (D.C. that is) to pay for gold plating fountains and other vanity projects. Who voted for these budget cuts? Our very own Representative Baumgartner did in the Big Beautiful Bill that cut funding for maintenance, interpretive ranger talks, children's programs, and public safety. Why would he vote to degrade our parks? Is it part of a plan to privatize or sell off these public treasures? We could ask him, but he refuses to meet with the general public, instead holding invitation-only events. To save our parks, vote Baumgartner out.