The Trickle-Down Impacts of the Federal Shutdown on States and Localities.

The disruption in Washington, D.C. “could have a significant impact,” if there is a protracted partial shutdown, according to Steve Benjamin, the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

While some states are already ponying up to keep national parks open during the partial government shutdown, the trickle-down effect on local and state governments could be felt more intensely in the days to come if federal agencies remain closed for an extended period of time.

The first few days of the latest shutdown—prompted by President Trump’s insistence that a temporary budget deal passed by Congress contain funding for a wall on the Mexico border—occurred during the weekend and Christmas holiday. For some states where national parks are major tourist attractions, this closure during a family vacation time meant the need to cover for the absence of park employees, as the Department of the Interior is one of the agencies closed in the shutdown.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey last week announced that his office would put into action a plan—finalized after the last shutdown earlier this year—to keep the Grand Canyon open, ensuring trash pickup, bathroom access and shuttles, along with other services. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state would spend $65,000 a day to keep open the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, while Utah Gov. Gary Herbert also said that parks would be open, although staffing could be limited.

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Route Fifty

By Laura Maggi,
Managing Editor

DECEMBER 26, 2018



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