Monday, July 10, 2006

As reported by the Press of Atlantic City: "New Jersey's budget stalemate
finally ended Thursday, giving hope that casinos and state services would
reopen by Saturday. "On the sixth day of a state government shutdown,
Assembly Democrats relented on their opposition to Gov. Jon S. Corzine's 1
percent sales-tax increase on the condition that at least half the revenue
goes to deliver $5 billion in property-tax relief over the next 10 years.
The sales tax would increase from 6 percent to 7 percent. ".Beyond that,
most details of the $30 billion spending plan were still being worked out
Thursday night. Still unclear is whether the state will extend casino taxes
set to expire this year or impose a fee for rural policing. "While much work
remains, Corzine said at an afternoon news conference that he expected both
houses to approve a budget 'between the next 24 to 36 hours.' If they do,
state gaming inspectors could return to the floor of Atlantic City's 12
casinos by late today or early Saturday. ".For casino workers, the lost
wages may never be recouped. Corzine said he favored restoring pay to state
workers, but no decisions had been made."