Have you ever been to a national park, national forest, or Army Corp of Engineers campground around Arkansas? Do you remember how pretty and peaceful it was when you were there? Hopefully, you do because the chance to return to one is now questionable. David Barna, spokesperson of National Park Service said that if the government shuts down because of Congress cannot reach a budget agreement, all of the national parks, forests, and campgrounds in Arkansas and across the country will be forced to close.
This is happening because of federal budget funding issues. Democrats and Republicans are fughting over the amount of the descetionary portion of the 2011 budget. The descretionary portion of the budget is the portion left after you take out defense spending, entitlement speing, and payments on the national dept. Rebublicans want big tax cuts and Democrats want to maintainor expand services. If the last minutes wrangling between the two partyscontinues and no agreement on the budget is reached, the government will be forced to shut down all non-essential perations. This is important to Hot Springs because many businesses and individuals depends on tourism for their income. Hot Springs National Park, Ouachita National Forestand the Corp of Engineers campgrouds around Lake Ouachita are a big part of why tourist come to Hot Spirngs. Close the parks and campgrounds down and the downtown shops, along with other stores in Hot Springs, will have a major decrease in customers. Directly or indirectly, everyone living or working Hot Springs and Garland County will be affected by an economic slowdown.
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