WI Gov Scott Walker Defies Feds, Keeps Parks Open

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s administration defied the federal government by refusing to close  popular state properties at the behest of the National Park Service.

The park service ordered state officials to close the northern unit of the Kettle Moraine, Devil’s Lake, and Interstate state parks and the state-owned portion of the Horicon Marsh, but state authorities rebuffed the request because the lion’s share of the funding came from state, not federal coffers.

Instead, the state’s Department of Natural Resources “issued a statement saying all state parks, trails and other recreational properties were open and not affected by the federal government’s budget problems.”

Walker blamed both Republicans and Democrats for current fighting in Washington, perhaps leaving the door open for a run for the presidency as a centrist in 2016.