Corzine Shuts Down New Jersey
Quote:
Trenton, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- On Saturday morning, just after 9:30am, Governor Corzine signed an order shutting down New Jersey's state government. Minutes later road construction projects around the state were ordered to cease. Parks, beaches, historic sites and possibly casinos may also be closed in the coming days.
State Budget Crisis At-A-Glance:
- Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Saturday morning closed state government after the state missed its constitutional deadline to adopt a balanced budget.
- A budget had to be adopted by 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
- Horse racing, the lottery, motor vehicle offices and courts will be among the first state services to close.
- Lottery drawings will continue until all sold tickets are used; however, new tickets cannot be purchased after 8 p.m. Saturday.
- Casinos may close depending on a court ruling.
- Parks, beaches and historic sites will be closed by Wednesday, but are expected to remain open through the July 4 holiday.
- 45,000 state employees are out of work until a budget is signed.
- Prisons, developmental centers, veterans homes and mental hospitals remain open.
- State police remain active.
- Disease prevention and health officers remain active.
- Child welfare remains active.
- Transportation safety work remains active.
- Environmental contamination response remains active.
- The shutdown lasts until a budget agreement is signed.
- No formal talks between Corzine and legislators are scheduled.
- The dispute centers on Corzine's plan to increase the state sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent to help ease annual budget woes. Assembly Democrats led by Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr., D-Camden, oppose the sales tax increase and have proposed alternatives, some of which Corzine has accepted.
- Both sides remain about $1 billion apart.
- Senate Democrat leaders support Corzine's plan.
http://www.1010wins.com/pages/52318.php
The governer's official statement:
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news...20060701b.html
