Corzine Ends 8-Day New Jersey Shutdown

[swag]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/08/nyregion/08cnd-jersey.html?hp&ex=1152417600&en=f699bdb2d30b379b&ei=5094&partner=homepage

TRENTON, July 8 – Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed an executive order early Saturday morning ending an eight-day government shutdown and resolving an acidic standoff with the Legislature that paralyzed New Jersey, frayed nerves and cost the state millions of dollars.

The order meant that nearly 100,000 workers – including 45,000 state employees – could begin returning to their jobs. Although government offices like the Motor Vehicle Commission were not expected to re-open until Monday, the 12 Atlantic City casinos – the most high-profile casualty of the shutdown – were scheduled to re-open as early as mid-morning.

Other services – including road construction projects, the operation of state parks and state-run beaches – were to begin a gradual process of re-opening Sunday. The New Jersey Lottery was scheduled to resume sales immediately.

The state’s courts, which had been ordered to handle only emergency matters, were expected to resume full services again Monday morning.

. . . more

[napi21]

1. So what was the final agreement? Did they increase the sales tax?

I didn't realize it, but a DUer from NJ explained that this yo yo in NJ has been going on for a very long time. They elect a Pub Gov. and taxes get cut, and State finances go to hell; they elect a Dem Gov. and he has no choice but to raise taxes to get back to stability.

[Atman]

2. It was strange driving through NJ

We had to pass through the state on the way to the CSNY show in Philly. After all the long delay in NY we were panicked when we saw the big overhead signs flashing an "advisory" as we hit NJ...except for that they said "All state park and recreation areas closed until further notice." It wasn't very inviting, and struck me as a preview of the legacy of the Bush presidency.

[Imajika]

3. Hmmmm....

"It wasn't very inviting, and struck me as a preview of the legacy of the Bush presidency."

Wasn't this shutdown entirely the result of disagreements between a Democratic Governor and Democratic legislature in New Jersey.

As bad as his legacy may be, I'm not sure this New Jersey fiasco can be blamed on Bush.

[Atman]

4. Yes, it was

I just meant in an illustrative sort of way. Not the dem-republican aspect of it. Just the fact that the bills will come due for all this warring and whoring, and this type of stuff is bound to begin happening on a much broader level. Being democratic or republican won't make a difference when you're trying to run a government and there is no money left!

[dsc]

5. actually he is partially at fault

Thanks to his ruinous federal deficits and budget cuts to programs which help the states many states are facing shortfalls.

[SensibleAmerican]

17. This rationale makes sense

However, Corzine seems to also have to bear a lot of the blame, but bear in mind I am not up to speed on the details of this shutdown.

[bettyellen]

7. because they need to raise taxess- because of republicans, and don;t

have the support they need to do it, because of republicans. taxes are the devil, doncha know?

[flyarm]

15. i took friends to see a lighthouse in NJ today and it was closed down

i didn't realize that even the lighthouse would be closed..but it is a state park..itwas weird to see all the cars parked outside the area of the lighthouse..and the parking lot blocked closed!
\but from all i have spoken to many are praising Corzine..even my very rethug neighbors..saying it is about time someone in govern had the balls to stand up and stop the bleeding..

fly

[SensibleAmerican]

16. Corzine is the Governor, not Bush

I don't know who was in the right or wrong on this one. I think Corzine and Codey had a personal feud going on. But either way the New Jersey Democrats screwed this one up royally.

[pokercat999]

6. I wonder if they have any idea who they pissed off. I wouldn't

want to be a Jersey pol when the "bosses" get the final bill on just how much this shut down cost them.

[WhiteTara]

8. N.J. Government Goes Back To Work

TRENTON -- All-night state deliberations ended a stalemate early Saturday and produced a new budget for New Jersey. Minutes later, Gov. Jon S. Corzine issued an executive order halting a weeklong government shutdown.

After a bitter fight with the N.J. legislature, Corzine prevailed in boosting the state sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent.

The $30.9 billion budget was approved about 5:40 a.m., and at 6 a.m. Corzine lifted his shutdown order to clear the way for the casinos to open.
snip

In addition to the (45,000) state employees put out of work, about 36,000 dealers, pit bosses, cocktail servers and food service workers were temporarily laid off in the casinos.
snip

But just after 7:30 a.m., gamblers began taking their places in a mostly empty Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa slots parlor.


the visual that I got was that for a week, the entire state was suspended animation and only this morning at 7:30 am, motion resumed.

[Skink]

9. 7 percent. It's 8.75 down in Texas.

[WhiteTara]

11. difference in state taxes...Texas has no personal

state tax and New Jersey does. California is 7.75%sales tax with 10%income tax. So it is all a matter of perspective, eh?

[Skink]

13. State income tax for Texas is coming....

Once the rich here in Texas get up enough ballot initiatives to freeze property taxes at current levels. We already had one pass in San Antonio exempting the rich from further adjustments to their property taxes.

[WhiteTara]

14. looks grim

if we got something for our tax dollars, I wouldn't mind so much, but this giving to line the pockets of greedy politicians.

Sorry that you'll get soaked another way, but look at the bright side, maybe your property taxes will go down, or at least won't go up! Okay, that wasn't funny

IMPEACH BUSH AND SEND THEM ALL TO THE HAGUE

[Viva_La_Revolution]

10. Good!

Kick!

[pokercat999]

12. Replace them all f..ing AH's....the casinos in CT say thanks

[KKKarl is an idiot]

18. Taxes are from the devil

or thats what the repubs believe. It is amazing this fight was democrat against democrat. I lived in England for many years. Taxes were higher but I could go to the local hospital & pay nothing. No filing bankruptcy because I could not pay my medical bills. I was a foreigner & still got treated like a native. This idea of paying low taxes so that we can get no welfare system should not prevail in a 1st world country.