Anyone from Jersey and what the heck is going on there?

[Dr. Jack]

State still shut down?

[The Illuminati]

yeah, but its offically starts after the forth....my guess is if it last more than 2 weeks corzine will be assassinated

[Toronto_Mike]

sorry fellas not too sure whats the situation? anyone want to fill me in?

[Romanowski]

casinos out of commision too tommorow

[Dr. Jack]

N.J. lawmakers meet amid shutdown
Governor urges compromise, wants state sales tax increase

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) -- Gov. Jon S. Corzine urged lawmakers Tuesday to compromise on his $31 billion spending plan to increase the state's sales tax and approve a budget, which would end the state's government shutdown.

"Make no mistake, people are being hurt and unfortunately more will be hurt in the days ahead," the governor told lawmakers during an unprecedented Fourth of July special session.

The session came three days after Corzine started shutting down state government because lawmakers missed the July 1 constitutional deadline to approve a new budget. Without a budget, the government can't spend money.

"All of us surely believe this circumstance must end," said Corzine, a first-term governor and former U.S. senator and Wall Street executive.

Legislative leaders, speaking after Corzine's address, said his speech wasn't likely to resolve the stalemate right away. If no deal is reached, state parks and historic sites would close Wednesday along with Atlantic City casinos, which are required to have state regulators on duty. (Watch what happens to small business when the government shuts down -- 1:37)

The state lottery, road construction, motor vehicle offices, vehicle inspection stations and courts have already closed. More than half the state work force -- 45,000 people -- was ordered to stay home on Monday. (Full story)

The dispute between the governor and his fellow Democrats who control the Legislature centers on his plan to increase the state sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent. The proposal to help overcome a $4.5 billion budget deficit would cost the average New Jersey family $275 per year, according to experts.

"No one is seeking to increase taxes because they want to," the governor said during his speech, as he detailed years of mismanagement of the state's revenues.

Corzine urged the lawmakers to approve a compromise offered by Senate President Richard J. Codey that would use half the $1.1 billion raised by his sales tax increase to ease the state's property taxes, among the nation's highest.

"I'm willing to meet the Legislature half way," Corzine told lawmakers.

He said the Legislature should keep working until a spending plan is approved. "We must stay here until we meet our constitutional obligations," he said.

After the governor's speech, Codey said he wasn't optimistic Corzine and the leader of the tax hike opposition, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr., would come together.

"I don't see where either one is anyway going to change their position at this particular point in time," Codey said.

"I think we're as divided today as we were before the speech," said Assembly Joseph Cryan, chairman of the state Democratic Party and a Corzine budget plan supporter.

State regulators have ordered the casinos to close at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

"When they shut down, then there's no tourists, no conventions, no money for the workers. That's not good," said Ann Ji, who runs a beauty supplies store one block from the casino strip.

[Toronto_Mike]

oh man this is nuts, a riot is going to break lose! Donald Trump is going to go nuts and rip his hair apart!

[Luckyluciano]

All Casino Floors are now shut down. We saw a major exit from the city last night and have a feeling people who were planning on coming down will be canceling their plans. Most Casinos still have their bars and restaurants operational but the longer this lasts the more places will close. Going into work in a few so it should be interesting to walk pass the Casino floor and see it totally empty!!

[Dr. Jack]

Originally Posted by Toronto_Mike

oh man this is nuts, a riot is going to break lose! Donald Trump is going to go nuts and rip his hair apart!

Trump needs to have a new apprentice with the winner to run NJ. lol

[cheezer]

CASINOS
Gambling stopped at 8 a.m. this morning under an order signed by the Casino Control Commission chairwoman, Linda Kasserkert.

HORSE RACING
Tracks will be closed for live racing and simulating for the duration of the shutdown.

LOTTERY
Sales of instant and electronic lottery tickets have been suspended. This includes tickets for the multistate Mega Millions game. Drawings will continue for games in which tickets have been sold in advance.

But, tolls will be collected on state roads and bridges. ???

[E_Wrecked]

Of course they will collect the money, I work in jersey and grew up here. Proud to say I'm a resident of PA now, this cant' last forever. Obviously I'm a gamlber or i wouldnt be posting on this board, but I'm not a casino guy--actually I hate casinos. However i coudlnt pass up the oppurtunity for a cheap hotel, so me and the lady (who is celebrating a happy 21st today) will go to AC this weekend and party at the Tropicana. We figured they are dying for business and practically giving rooms away, they are.