“Robbing Peter to pay Paul” and “thumb in the dike” describe the way the federal government has been funding the cost of fighting the nation’s wildfires. President Obama’s new budget proposal could change the current arrangement.
The Obama Administration has a budget proposal that would change the way it protects the country’s 70,000 communities surrounded by forests.
Allison Sherry reports that “the departments of Agriculture and Interior had to transfer $463 million in 2012 and $636 million in 2013 to fight fires.” The transfers amount to “cribbing cash to fight fires from the same pot used for suppression and prevention.”
Under a proposal a new proposal by the Obama Administration, "the costs to fight severe wildfires — those that require emergency response or are near urban areas — would be funded through a new ‘wildfire suppression cap adjustment.’ This funding mechanism removes firefighting cash from regular discretionary budget caps, thus protecting prevention funds."
FULL STORY: Obama administration seeks new funding plan for wildfires
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The kicker in a recent article about the current realities of forest fires—and the cost of fighting them—in the United States: The federal government spends 624 percent more on fires than it did 20 years ago.
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Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
How to Make US Trains Faster
Changes to boarding platforms and a switch to electric trains could improve U.S. passenger rail service without the added cost of high-speed rail.
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A focus on small businesses is helping a commercial corridor in Columbia, Missouri thrive.
Invasive Insect Threatens Minnesota’s Ash Forests
The Emerald Ash Borer is a rapidly spreading invasive pest threatening Minnesota’s ash trees, and homeowners are encouraged to plant diverse replacement species, avoid moving ash firewood, and monitor for signs of infestation.
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