With Federal Wallet Closed, States Agonize Over Opening Their Own

Craig Kohlruss/The Fresno Bee, via Associated Press

Gov. Jerry Brown of California said the state would not intervene to keep its vast network of national parks open to the public.

By ADAM NAGOURNEY and RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

Published: October 4, 2013

LOS ANGELES – With no end in sight to the federal government shutdown, governors across the nation are struggling with a cascade of tough decisions about when and whether to step in with state funds to keep an ever-growing list of shuttered parks and programs

Gov. Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota has pleaded, so far unsuccessfully, for permission to use state funds to keep open the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which tourists photographed this week from outside the entrance. Continue reading “With Federal Wallet Closed, States Agonize Over Opening Their Own”

Government shutdown ruins vacations, hurts local economies

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By ASSOCIATED PRESS | 10/4/13 9:24 AM EDT

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Stop at a cafe in the remote stretches of northern Arizona and southern Utah in the fall, and you’re likely to hear a mix of languages as tourists from around the world step into the iconic western landscape, marked by breathtaking canyons and massive rock formations.

Millions of visitors tour the region each year for what can be once-in-a-lifetime vacations.

Those visitors didn’t stop with the government shutdown, which forced officials to close down roads, campgrounds and tourist centers at national parks dotting the landscape.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has offered to use state money to keep the Grand Canyon open, and several businesses made similar pledges — all of which have been politely rejected by the national park. Continue reading “Government shutdown ruins vacations, hurts local economies”