'The shutdown means the loss of a paycheck to tens of thousands of construction workers, casino workers and public employees. Jon Corzine urged the assembly to come to a consensus quickly, saying there was much more at stake than 'a canceled visit to Atlantic City.'
Tuesday, state legislators spent their Fourth of July holiday trying to resolve the budget crisis, and lawmakers will remain in Trenton until a 2007 budget is enacted. The casinos contribute some $1.2 million in tax revenue to the state each day, according to the Casino Control Commission. State employees deemed essential are exempt from the furlough. 'I have no authority nor is there any law to support the notion that casino inspectors are essential state employees,' Corzine told state legislators. The government shutdown, which has resulted in the closure of all 'non-essential' government offices, began after the state legislature failed to adopt a new budget by the constitutional deadline last Friday.Īmong the non-essential government agencies affected by the shutdown was the state Casino Control Commission, which is charged with regulating gambling in Atlantic City's casinos. ET Wednesday morning as the New Jersey budget crisis that began July 1 continued. (CNN) - Atlantic City's 12 casinos began shutting down for the first time ever at 8 a.m.
