WAYNESVILLE (AP) — North Carolina officials don’t expect to be repaid for the money they spent to help keep part of the Smoky Mountains National Park open during the federal government shutdown earlier this year.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reported a spokesman for Gov. Pat McCrory said the state doesn’t expect to get the money back.
North Carolina spent only $15,000.
McCrory and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam paid to keep part of the park open during the federal government shutdown in October. Tennessee spent $60,000.
Congress reached a budget deal and the government shutdown ended the day after the park reopened.
Arizona, Colorado, New York, South Dakota and Utah also paid to open federal parks during the shutdown. Congress is considering legislation to reimburse the states the more than $3.5 million they spent.