Fiscal Cliff Concerns Broad For Wyoming

As the national fiscal cliff approaches, concerns are being raised about how it might impact agencies like the national parks which annually draw millions of tourists to the area. Wyoming’s US Representative Cynthia Lummis admits that such impacts are a concern, butthose concerns are relatively minor when considering the overall effects on Wyoming residents if the nation’s economy is allowed to go over the cliff.  Lummis points out that going over the cliff would mean taxes would go up on everyone effecting individuals and businesses more than it would affect federal agencies and their employees.  However, she says if the sequester takes effect, it would affect national parks and forests.  She says “There’s a provision within the sequester for 8% across-the-board cuts for the agencies within the Department of Interior.  How they ultimately would be divided within the agencies remains to be seen.”  Lummis quickly adds that this country spends too much money compared to what is taken in and so it is increasingly important to determine how to get by with less government spending.  She says most of that can be focused on Washington rather than out in the field, but it is unlikely such budget trimming will not affect activities in the field.  That, she says will have to be met with innovative ideas of how best to manage the lands on a tighter federal budget.