New York Pays to Reopen Statue of Liberty

The government shutdown is not keeping the Statue of Liberty closed any longer.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday that New York State would pay a daily cost of $61,600 to keep the Statue of Liberty open to visitors as the government shutdown trudges onward.

"While the federal government shutdown remains at a standstill, we in New York will not let this internationla symbol of freedom and democracy remain closed," Cuomo said in a statement. "The Statue of Liberty attracts thousands of visits every day, generating economic activity and supporting jobs that we cannot afford to lose."

Since the government closed on Oct. 1, the National Park Service has closed each of its national parks and monuments. There are a total of 33 such sites in New York.

Ferry trips from Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty began Sunday morning.