NYT: Some states want to finance continued operation of national parks and preserves

Some states are hoping to get national parks and monuments open in spite of the ongoing Republican blockade of a bill appropriating money to pay for complete U.S. government operations.

The New York Times reports today that some states have attempted to convince federal agencies to let them pay for ongoing federal functions. South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has unsuccessfully urged the U.S. Department of Interior to allow the state to finance continued operation of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Many agencies and programs of the national government are shut down in the aftermath of the U.S. House of Representatives' failure to adopt a continuing resolution authorizing continued expenditure of money. The GOP-dominated chamber has sought to use government financing as a vehicle to leverage changes in the Affordable Care Act, a major health care reform law enacted in 2010.