ALBANY – ‘I lift my lamp beside the golden door,’ no longer!
Governor Kathy Hochul has declined to allocate state funds to prevent the closure of the Statue of Liberty if it shuts down during the partial government shutdown that began on Wednesday.
Hochul assigned blame to Congressional Republicans for the looming closure of the national treasure — which was still operating as of Wednesday afternoon — despite all but three Senate Democrats voting against a short-term funding proposal the previous night.
The proposed legislation would have maintained federal government funding at existing levels until November 21.
“If the iconic torch of Lady Liberty dims, the responsibility lies squarely with Washington Republicans who have turned their backs on the very people they were elected to serve,” Hochul remarked in a statement to The Post before the shutdown commenced.
“Washington Republicans have already slashed billions from essential services like healthcare, public safety, and food assistance for New Yorkers. Their cruel and irrational cuts are driving us towards a federal shutdown that will negatively impact workers, small businesses, and families throughout our state and nationwide,” she added.
It remains unclear whether the state or city would provide funding to ensure the Statue of Liberty continues to operate on Wednesday.
During the last government shutdown in 2018, former Governor Andrew Cuomo utilized state funds to keep the historic landmark, managed by the National Parks Service, operational.
“Just as we have in the past when Washington’s dysfunction has caused a government shutdown, New York will step up to ensure the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island remain open as symbols of strength and hope during this turbulent period,” Cuomo stated at that time.
According to the National Park Service, more than 3.7 million visitors flocked to the Statue of Liberty last year.
