White House will open parks if states pay

The Interior Department will reopen national parks if states fund the National Park Service personnel who have been furloughed in the government shutdown. The decision, announced Thursday, follows political attacks from Republicans who allege the Obama administration has gone overboard in closing off access to popular tourist spots. “Responding to the economic impacts that the park closures are having on many communities and local businesses, [Interior] Secretary Jewell will consider agreements with Governors who indicate an interest and ability to fully fund National Park Service personnel to re-open national parks in their states,” Interior spokesman Blake Androff said in a statement. Governors from South Dakota, Arizona and Colorado have also asked permission to reopen their states’ national parks, according to The Associated Press. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R), whose state is home to the Grand Canyon National Park, last week urged Obama to allow state and private funding to be used to open national parks...more