Governor Corzine Urges Lawmakers to Continue Sessions as Closure Draws Near
Governor Jon Corzine said on Monday that state lawmakers must report to the Statehouse on the fourth of July holiday and stay there until they come up with a resolution on the budget, as the indecision has threatened the shutdown of Atlantic City casinos and state parks.
A Tuesday session, July 3, over the budget dispute will kick off at 9 am with a speech by the governor who is voting for a compromise plan offered by Senate President Richard J. Codey two weeks ago.
"I will try to speak explicitly about a compromise that I hope people will find is reasonable, " Corzine said.
As the unnecessary government services are closed down, New Jersey's lottery ticket sales and road constructions have stopped, courts have also been closed and over half the state work force have taken unexpected breaks.
By Wednesday, the same thing could happen to race-track betting, Atlantic City casinos, as well as state parks, historic sites and beaches.
The compromise proposed by Codey proposes using half of the $1.1 billion that would be raised by the sales tax increase to ease the states property taxes. But Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, D-Camden has rejected it.
"The sales tax in its entirety needs to be dedicated to property tax relief," Roberts said.
But Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, the chairman of the state Democrat Party, on Monday indicated it deserves a full debate among Assembly Democrats.
"I agree with the governor," said Cryan, D-Union. "I think the Assembly needs to take a real honest look at it in our caucus and I'm hopeful tomorrow allows us to do that."
The Senate was in session in Trenton on Monday, although it had no bills that it can vote on. Codey said the senators should stay in session until a budget is decided on. Corzine and Senate leaders were frustrated when no Assembly meetings were scheduled.
"I can't veto a budget, I can't sign a budget until it's actually presented by the Legislature " Corzine complained.
The Casino Control Commission has ordered 12 of Atlantic City's casinos to cease operations beginning Wednesday 8 a.m. An appeal made by the casinos was rejected by the Supreme Court.
Casino association lawyer John Kearney let on that the casinos were trying to decide on their next step.
Daniel Heneghan, a commission spokesman, pointed out that the state would be losing around $1.3 million a day in revenue, money that is allotted for helping senior citizens and people with disabilities if the casinos close.
As for local citizens who were affected by the cease in government services, some were indignant to find the offices closed on Monday. "I was shocked. It's a waste of time and money and my day off," said Victoria Moore, 53, of Ocean City, who was looking to renew her license at an office in Egg Harbor Township. "I balance my budget at home, why can't they balance theirs? I know how to cut corners at home, why can't they?"
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