BREWER STEPS UP FOR GRAND CANYON
Tourists enjoyed a long weekend at the Grand Canyon, getting away from the depressing news from Washington that had closed the natural wonder.
Thank Gov. Jan Brewer, who, after an initial reluctance, pushed hard for a way for the state to keep the canyon open and money flowing into Arizona’s economy.
The national park, like those across the nation, closed along with much of the rest of the government during the congressional standoff. When Brewer first asked about having Arizona pay to reopen the park, she got an emphatic “no.”
She didn’t give up. With U.S. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, along with other governors, joining her, the Interior Department relented. Brewer handed over a check for $651,000, enough to keep the Grand Canyon open for seven days. Tusayan, a town with an economy built on the Canyon, donated two-thirds of the total.
Tourists in past Octobers spent $1.2 million a day around the Canyon. The return on investment is significant.
On Saturday, the park reopened. On Wednesday, Brewer made another payment, this time entirely with state tourism dollars, to ensure the Grand Canyon stayed open another week. The vote to reopen the government would bring a refund of most of that money.
The whole amount, however, should be repaid. Arizona, like Colorado, New York, South Dakota and Utah, spent the money to keep national treasures open.
A Congress that will pay furloughed workers for not working should repay states for taking on federal responsibilities.
Don’t expect Brewer to be shy in making that point.