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Posted on 07/05/2006 8:15:28 AM PDT by frogjerk
UL. 5 8:54 A.M. ET New Jersey's casinos ushered the last of the gamblers away from slot machines and tables Wednesday, and janitors locked the doors behind them as a state government shutdown claimed its latest victims. In the first mass closure in the 28-year history of Atlantic City's legalized gambling trade, all 12 casinos were under state orders to lock up. Atlantic City's casinos are lucrative for New Jersey. They have a $1.1 billion payroll, and the state takes an 8 percent cut -- an estimated $1.3 million a day. But as a stalemate over the state budget entered its fifth day Wednesday with no deal in sight, even they had to shut down. With no state budget, New Jersey can't pay its state employees, meaning the casino inspectors who keep tabs on the money and whose presence is required at casinos are off the job. State parks and beaches were also closed Wednesday because of the lack of staff. "It's like last call at a bar. It's a little bit eerie," said Michael Trager, 36, of Cincinnati, was playing a video poker machine at 10 minutes to 8 a.m. when an attendant told him to conclude his bet. "They said, 'That's it, you gotta cash out. We're closing.'" The doors to the Boardwalk side of Caesar's were locked by janitors. An announcement came over the public address system telling gamblers the casino was closing. "It's history," said Andy Trechock, 41, of Depford, as he stepped away from a slot machine at Bally's Wild Wild West casino. The problem started when the Legislature missed its July 1 constitutional deadline to pass the budget amid a fight with Gov. Jon S. Corzine over his proposed boost in the state sales tax. Without a spending plan, Corzine ordered state offices shut
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
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From a state recreation area in Shamong to Atlantic City to Independence Day festivities in Washington Township, people said they were already fed up with the budget stalemate and expressed genuine surprise it's gone beyond the long holiday weekend.
"Where is our money supposed to come from?" asked Francine Monzo of Ventnor, who works as a casino cocktail server. Her husband, Vincent, is a pit boss. "A lot of people I work with are upset about being laid off. And we can't even collect unemployment because the state is shut down."
Grilling with her children and members of her church on the Atison Lake beach in Wharton State Forest, Joshalyn Baylor said the state parks and recreation areas offer families such as hers an affordable refuge from the violence of Trenton's inner city.
"We shouldn't suffer for their unaccountability," said Baylor, a Trenton resident who visits the Atison Recreation Area in Shamong up to four times a summer.
"We paid our taxes. It's not our fault that they spent the money foolishly. If (Gov. Jon S. Corzine) takes this away from us, then we're going to go and camp out on his property."
OH NO! Granny's gonna be here at home ALL DAY NOW!.......
Correct me but isn't this a Dem vs Dem thing?
Yeap, the Republicans dont have a seat at this party. We are just eating the popcorn and watching the show.
You elected Democrats, don't come crying to the Feds to bail you out.
Amen to that!
They'll all forget when it's election time.
I have no sympathy for people who work at casinos. The places are filled with the absolute scum of the earth. I say good riddance and let 'em close.
This is so satisfying to watch.
I hope this stoppage is protracted, it can do nothing to help the Dems' cause in NJ and elsewhere. And with Corzine's other problems with the disgraceful Attorney General Farber selection, NJ folks should really question ALL of Corzine's decisions, especially the Menendez senate nomination.
What a disgraceful democrat administration.
I'm completely confused them. How can we blame the Republicans then? There must be a way. Otherwise the media won't cover it.
That is a little crazy don't you think?
What about the people who work in the hotel industry, on the boardwalk, taxi cab drivers, bus drivers, etc... They are all affected by the pure stupidity coming from the Dems in Trenton.
This has to be the dumbest business decision ever made. Paying a handful of casino inspectors vs. throwing away $1.3 million per day.
THis whole fiasco should be handing the entire state of NJ over to the Republican Party. But one should never underestimate the ability of the NJ Repub party to turn sure victory into defeat.
The repubs should grab the moment and run some ads --- "This is what happens when you let democrats run things."
Curious to know where NJ's money came from before casinos.
You are correct. It is the DIMs punishing their constituents that they swear they look our for every November.
Lost your shirt, did you?
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