How Trump’s Chaos Impacts Counties. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Patrice Horstman, Coconino County Supervisor, attorney and Democratic activist to the show.
Horstman begins by saying, “County government, especially right now with what’s going on in the federal government is absolutely key.” She explains that the County Board of Supervisors oversees everything from health, roads, snowplows, parks, libraries, law enforcement, the county jail, property taxes and sales taxes. They then take those taxes and put them back into providing services for the county.
Asked if the craziness in Washington has affected Coconino County, Horstman responds, “I don’t think you can live in the United States of America and not have the craziness filter down unto you in either direct of very indirect ways. So many people are losing jobs and that has wide-sweeping effects on our county, on our economy quite frankly, and on our pleasures and joy in living.”
Horstman goes on to explain that federal cutbacks jeopardize Coconino’s national forests and national parks that bring billions of tourist dollars to the county. The cutbacks also threaten everything from emergency response and forest management to healthcare and women’s and children’s programs. “It’s government by surprise,” she says.