The Washington Post reports that the Washington Monument is extending its hours until 10 p.m. every evening until Labor Day. Now you can make those plans for a visit!

Do you enjoy the national parks? The National Park Service is funded through the Interior Appropriations bill. The House and Senate bills last year called for about $225 per family in spending. (They were folded into the Consolidated Appropriations Act.)

The House and Senate plan about $250 in spending for U.S. family in the Interior Appropriations bill this year. Watch the progress of budgeting and spending for Fiscal Year 2009 (beginning October 1, 2008) here.