States have been offering to pay to keep the parks open since the beginning of the shutdown. But the Obama administration has dragged their feet, seeking to impose as much pain as possible. But now, faced with multiple legal challenges to their “policies of pain”, this may be their way of getting out of trouble.
Many of the people with businesses shut down have already paid fees for use of the land and have filed or plan to file lawsuits, simply as an action to survive.
Via Washington Times:
Utah has agreed to pay the federal government $1.7 million to open up eight national parks during the government shutdown, and the National Park Service officials said they would consider similar agreements with other states — but were apparently “dragging their feet” with Arizona.
After being battered for its decision-making during the shutdown, the park service is trying to regain its footing, including opening up monuments in Washington and Philadelphia to First Amendment activities, which in essence makes them open to anyone who knows the policy.
After first floating the potential for a deal for individual states on Thursday, the park service said it had finalized an agreement with Utah on Friday.
“This is a practical and temporary solution that will lessen the pain for some businesses and communities in Utah during this shutdown,” Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell said.
But Utah is the only state to get a deal so far. Arizona has been desperate to get the Grand Canyon reopened, and Republican Gov. Jan Brewer had a conversation Friday with Ms. Jewell. Since then, however, the state said it has heard nothing.