Washington would no longer be the only state in the nation without a statewide tourism marketing program under legislation introduced in both the state House and Senate this week.  The legislation would create an industry-led Tourism Marketing Authority and provide performance-based industry funding mechanisms without additional taxes.  Both HB1123 and SB 5251 (the same legislation but entered in both the Senate and House) have bipartisan support from legislators representing urban and rural districts throughout the state.

In addition to fueling the growth of fast-growing entrepreneurial companies, national monuments give a shot in the arm to local economies.

Outdoor recreation is an economic colossus: its reach is massive, its wealth enormous, and its influence continues to grow as more boots hit the ground. You can see it in Joshua Tree’s crowded campgrounds or in Mount Tam’s trailhead parking lots; in the Appalachian Trail’s thru-hiking numbers or in REI’s record sales. Americans are heading outdoors in huge numbers and paying handsomely for the privilege. But how much, precisely? For years the industry’s contribution to the nation’s economy was as much guesswork as fact.

Thank you for your strong support of the No Child Left Inside grant program, which is helping young people from 11 districts (2,5,7,10,12,13,14,20,35,39,42) across the state participate in outdoor education and recreation programs this year.  We appreciate all of your efforts to help young people connect with the natural world. (View entire letter)