New Jersey Locks Up Casinos…

NJ Governor Calls Shut Down “Deplorable”…

By JOHN CURRAN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jul 5, 11:02 AM ET

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - 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 dark.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine addressed the Legislature at the Statehouse Wednesday morning, defending his position as a stalemate over the state budget entered its fifth day with no deal in sight. Corzine wants to raise the state sale tax from 6 percent to 7 percent to close a $4.5 billion state budget gap; lawmakers oppose the tax increase, estimated to cost the average New Jersey family $275 per year.

When the Legislature missed its July 1 deadline to pass a state budget because of the dispute, Corzine ordered the government shut down.

"It is deplorable that the people of this state are left in such a painful position," Corzine told the Legislature Wednesday. "The people of New Jersey have every right to be angry." >>.cont

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