Eduardo Munoz
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he ordered state parks to reopen for the July 4 holiday as the state government ended its shutdown with a budget deal late Monday. The deal, which came three days late, calls for a $34.7 billion budget with more than $300 million in Democratic spending priorities. Christie said he’d sign it immediately, adding that state workers will get a paid holiday on Tuesday at his request. The budget impasse had threatened to ruin Independence Day for many residents, with state parks and beaches shut down last week when lawmakers were unable to agree on a budget for the new fiscal year. Christie was pictured enjoying one of the beaches closed to the public Monday after a local newspaper caught him lounging with his family in the midst of the government crisis. Christie later defended himself, saying “the governor is allowed to go to his residences.”