Zion Bryant, 8, of Poland, right, looks back at her sister Eden, 6, as they and their other sister Lydia, 4, follow their brother and mother off the beach at Range Ponds State Park in Poland in June.

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage may not think the state government can stay open because of a budget dispute, he is optimistic that state parks will stay open.

Sides agree that a shutdown at the start of tourism season would be costly. But LePage told WVOM-FM Tuesday that “the future of Maine is worth shutting it down.”

LePage says he’ll make sure state parks remain open during a shutdown.

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