NJ Shutdown has no end in sight...

[mcscajun]

...with more closings every day, and NO Open Minds in the Legislature, and the Governor's not budging, either.

UGH.

The emergency session on Tuesday, according to Albert Porroni, the chief counsel to the Office of Legislative Services, the research arm of the Legislature, was the first recorded meeting of New Jersey lawmakers on the Fourth of July "as far as we can tell." He said the only similar session might have occurred during the Second Continental Congress in 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was ratified.

(snip)

Mr. Corzine again endorsed a compromise put forward by Senate President Richard J. Codey, his predecessor as governor, which would devote half of Mr. Corzine's proposed 1 percent increase in the sales tax — projected to bring the state an additional $1.2 billion in revenue — toward property tax relief. That would mean that another $600 million in spending cuts would be needed to balance the budget, Mr. Corzine said.(snip)

Asked if the governor had changed any minds with his speech, State Senator Loretta Weinberg, a Democrat from Bergen County who supports the governor's proposal, replied tersely: "No."

"There are no open minds around here to change," Ms. Weinberg said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/05/nyregion/05cnd-trenton.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5094&en=f5832365d8b41919&hp&ex=1152158400&partner=homepage

[Jersey Devil]

1. Tough to say how this will play out politically

I don't think any of the Democrats can 'win' in this mess. From what I've been hearing locally, independents who voted for Corzine are very unhappy with him.

[rusty charly]

2. what's with all the

"poor, poor gamblers" stories in all the tv news?

it's kind of weird.

i get the revenue from casinos, and workers wages lost, but the stories seem to only focus on the main problem: addicted gamblers are stuck in AC with nothing to do! oh, no!

[mcscajun]

3. Don't know...don't watch TV news.

I'm not the least bit concerned with the gamblers...except as their loss means loss of income for Atlantic City workers.

[obreaslan]

4. I tend to be in the minority in NJ....

I think that the casinos hold way to much sway with NJ politicians. I say close them down until the budget is fixed. (And while I'm at it, they should be included in the smoking ban.)

I do, however, feel for the casino workers (and state workers in general) in this because it isn't fair for them to be punished in this. I hope they will be able to weather the storm.

Hopefully once the smoke clears on this NJ will be better for it.

[DainBramaged]

5. HI LADY

catch ya later :hug:

[mcscajun]

6. Ha!

:rofl:

Stick your tongue out at ME, will ya? Some Nerve. :crazy: