TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Various initiatives throughout the area have emerged to protest budget reductions implemented by the federal government.
A fresh advertising initiative underscores several of these reductions targeting a major income source for southern Arizona, and it takes the form of a billboard.
It is part of a nationwide initiative by
More Perfect Union
To highlight how federal budget reductions are affecting nearby areas, yet its implementation occurred somewhat belatedly.
Just a few months ago,
Saguaro National Park had to shut down visitor centers each Monday
until further notice after employees were laid off.
But it didn’t last for long.
“Once those employees were brought back, the park resumed its regular operating schedule, opening every day of the week as usual,” stated Fred Stula, the executive director of Friends of Saguaro National Park.
Currently, four billboards are dispersed throughout the Tucson region displaying “Greetings from Saguaro National Park… limited visiting hours… brought to you by D.O.G.E.”
It is part of a much larger effort by More Perfect Union to get people fired up about some of the cuts.
In a statement to 13 News, the organization said, “Last year, over 330 million people visited a national park, a record number. This year, park goers will be met with reduced staff, longer wait times, and dirty or unsafe facilities.”
“It’s more about understanding the importance of national parks and making sure that they receive the funding and the support they need,” Stula said.
Stula said billboards are a great way to support the park that he says is crucial for the city.
“Saguaro National Park supports about $100 million for our local community, it supports a little under a thousand jobs and it’s not just jobs at the park service, but it’s people that work at the airport, work at our resorts, our restaurants, our stores, everything that happens here,” Stula said.
This comes as the
The Trump Administration unveiled its budget proposal for fiscal year 2026.
This would reduce the National Park Service’s funding by over $1 billion. That represents nearly a third of their present budget.
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