Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden Wants Audit Of Ryan Zinke’s Use Of Wildfire Funds
Listen
Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden is calling for an investigation into Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s misuse of wildfire preparedness funds after news reports revealed Zinke used the funds for unrelated travel.
In December, Newsweek reported that internal emails from the Interior Department showed officials OKd the use of the funds — which are used to coordinate national wildfire fighting efforts — even though Zinke did not visit fire-affected areas.
The department told Newsweek that Zinke’s travel costs were charged to the account in error.
Wyden wants clearer answers and, in a letter, called on the office of the inspector general to conduct an audit of Interior Department spending from the preparedness sub account since Zinke took office.
“Amidst the most expensive wildfire season in history, it is unequivocally intolerable that the Interior Department could be wasting scarce taxpayer resources that are meant to save lives,” Wyden wrote in his letter to Deputy Inspector General Mary L. Kendall.
Copyright 2018 Oregon Public Broadcasting
Related Stories:
Hiking Wheelchair With Northwest Roots Opens Up Outdoor Lifestyle To People With Disabilities
AdvenChair resembles a mountain bike. It has handlebars, disc brakes, and a bright orange frame. Its purpose is to help people with serious disabilities access trail systems, because as developer and user Geoff Babb put it, “we need to celebrate that we’re alive.” Continue Reading Hiking Wheelchair With Northwest Roots Opens Up Outdoor Lifestyle To People With Disabilities
Turning Pollution Into Art With A Purpose On The Oregon Coast
This particular stretch of the Oregon coastline is famous for being pristine and wild. But train your eyes down a little closer to the beach and sand as Angela Haseltine Pozzi so often does, and even here you’ll find bits of plastic. Continue Reading Turning Pollution Into Art With A Purpose On The Oregon Coast
‘That ID Won’t Fly’: Deadline Looms For Washington And Oregon Travelers To Get Enhanced Licence
The problem with regular driver licenses from Oregon and Washington is that both states have chosen not to verify the immigration status of applicants. Continue Reading ‘That ID Won’t Fly’: Deadline Looms For Washington And Oregon Travelers To Get Enhanced Licence
