Congress for years has debated how to improve housing for national park rangers, but rangers complain the housing worsens as the debate continues.
So Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, said last week the time has come to finally pass a bill to help fix that - and he will have his House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Land hold a vote on it this month."This issue already has been fully aired, and it's time to move forward," Hansen said in a hearing. "I hope this is one area we can work on with bipartisanship. . . . It is long, long overdue."
That was hailed by park rangers who tell stories of living with rats in dilapidated homes at high rent - but the Clinton administration said it wants more time to study alternatives to those included in a Republican bill.
Michael O. Hill, representing the Association of National Park Rangers, said much housing that rangers are required to live in is so bad that there are "bathtubs and toilets suddenly disappearing through the floor - while in use."
Other problems he said included: "Employee-paid utility bills consuming two-thirds of a family's total housing budget. Rent paid to the government eating over half of a family's monthly income. Rats in bed with babies. These occurrences are facts."
He said a bill by Rep. Joel Hefley, R-Colo., would likely lower rents by ending a practice of making them comparable to other nearby housing, which inflates them in resort areas. It would tie rent to a percentage of income.
It also allows formation of a nationwide housing cooperative for national park, Forest Service and other government employees required to live in government homes who could buy into housing - and build equity even with frequent transfers - to provide money to help improve buildings.
Barry Sullivan, a ranger at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, said that is welcome because while he is required to live in government housing,
However, Clinton administration officials from the National Park Service and the Forest Service said they want more time to review alternatives to the bill.