Public Domain Photo: Wiki Images
On Sunday January 21st 2018, New York Sate Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced plans to keep the Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island open. The Governor stated that the State of New York would reopen the monuments after they had closed due to the Federal Government shutdown. Due to the shutdown, all federal employees that work at both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island would not be paid. The shutdown impacted about 900 jobs at both The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The shutdown also impacted those who worked for the Ferry tour service to the monuments. In addition to the 900 jobs that were affected by the shutdown, the closing of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island would result in the State turning away close to ten thousand visitors a day to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
The Governor of New York is a fiscally wise man who understands that the loss of ten thousand visitors a day to these cherished tourist attractions would result in a significant loss of income for the State. We don’t have access to the numbers here, but it’s safe to assume that by keeping the Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island open, the State will make more money selling tickets and souvenirs while still having to pay the workers than it would it the attractions remain closed.
One can also argue that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s pledge to reopen the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is a political move. By standing up to the Federal Government and taking care of his own, Governor Cuomo shows strong leadership skills in the way he provided relief for the workers affected by the shutdown and the loss of State income as a result of Federal incompetency.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s pledge to re-open The Statue Of Liberty utilizing the powers of the State is important in recognizing the ideals that the Statue of Liberty represent. The Federal Government shut down has occurred because of issues of immigration that are being fought between both political parties. The symbolism of the Statue of Liberty has not been lost in the eyes of the New York State Governor. It’s a shame its been lost among many in our Federal Government.
