Gov. Cuomo Pledges State Funds to Re-Open Statue of Liberty

After political brinksmanship failed to keep the country running, there was confusion about whether national parks would stay open.

If you wandered down to Battery Park, you were met with signs saying that the tour boat would still carry passengers near the Statue of Liberty, but no one would be allowed to enter the actual island park.

In response, Governor Cuomo has entered into an agreement with U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Zinke for the New York State government to fund the operation of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island parks at a cost of $65,000 per day. The parks will re-open on Monday, January 22nd after having been closed since Friday at midnight.

The NY government made a similar arrangement in 2013 during a 16-day national shutdown, although the price at that time was a paltry $61,600 per day.

View a slideshow below of closed national parks nationwide from the National Parks Conservation Association: