Pa. budget mess shuts off fun at park

PORTERSVILLE, Pa. — Boaters and swimmers came one by one to Pennsylvania’s   Moraine State Park, and all had to be turned away. It was a reality around Pennsylvania Monday as the first day of a partial government shutdown took effect due to a budget stalemate.

More than a dozen vehicles were turning away at one point late Monday morning at Moraine. The would-be park goers said they were unaware of the closing due to the fiscal stalemate. “It’s a hot day and we want to go swimming,” said Chuck Jones of Ellwood City, Pa., who arrived with two youngsters. “Now I’ve got to take them to a public pool.”

Nearly 25,000 nonessential workers from state parks to driver’s license centers across the state were furloughed on Monday until state lawmakers can come up with a new budget.

For more, see Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com