New Jersey and You
Not so perfect together....
Besides this state being highly congested and out of control overpriced now we have to deal with a budget crisis that is forcing the state into a shutdown.
Meeting fails to end deadlock as GOP talks of unseating Assembly speaker
Monday, July 03, 2006
BY JOSH MARGOLIN AND JEFF WHELAN
Star-Ledger Staff
New Jersey's historic state government shutdown entered its third day today with no end in sight as Trenton's ruling Democrats openly acknowledged they were getting nowhere in efforts to agree on a new state budget.
On this first business day of the shutdown, Motor Vehicle Commission offices will not open, state courts will handle only urgent matters and more than half the state's work force will be off the job. Wednesday shapes up as a critical day, when Atlantic City casinos and the state's racetracks, beaches, parks and campgrounds are slated to close.
In a meeting at the governor's mansion in Princeton last night, Assembly Democrats offered a list of ideas that included a broad array of new tax increases as alternatives to Gov. Jon Corzine's proposed sales tax increase. The meeting ended after four hours with no hint of agreement.
"I think that's very sad," said Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex), who has been trying to bridge the gap between the governor and Assembly leaders. "I don't know the recipe. Simple as that. I've thrown a lot of things on the table, but it takes three to make a triangle and we're not there."
Corzine remained locked in a stalemate with Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, a fellow Democrat who is leading the charge against the governor's plan to raise the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent. The governor insists that is needed to balance the budget responsibly, while Roberts contends it could be avoided with a mix of other taxes and spending cuts.
Pressure ratcheted up on Roberts yesterday as Republicans talked of a possible coup to unseat him and casino workers urged him to give in to Corzine to keep gaming halls open.
Before jumping into his car to leave Drumthwacket last night at about 9 p.m., Roberts would only say to reporters, "We had a very productive meeting."
Moments later, Codey, State Democratic Chairman Joe Cryan and Tom Shea, Corzine's chief of staff, emerged from the governor's mansion sounding far more pessimistic.
"All of us are going to talk again (today)," Codey said. "Do I expect any sign of progress to come out of that? No."
Asked if a deal could be reached by tonight, he said "it's not going to happen" because the leaders remain so far apart.
Besides this state being highly congested and out of control overpriced now we have to deal with a budget crisis that is forcing the state into a shutdown.
Meeting fails to end deadlock as GOP talks of unseating Assembly speaker
Monday, July 03, 2006
BY JOSH MARGOLIN AND JEFF WHELAN
Star-Ledger Staff
New Jersey's historic state government shutdown entered its third day today with no end in sight as Trenton's ruling Democrats openly acknowledged they were getting nowhere in efforts to agree on a new state budget.
On this first business day of the shutdown, Motor Vehicle Commission offices will not open, state courts will handle only urgent matters and more than half the state's work force will be off the job. Wednesday shapes up as a critical day, when Atlantic City casinos and the state's racetracks, beaches, parks and campgrounds are slated to close.
In a meeting at the governor's mansion in Princeton last night, Assembly Democrats offered a list of ideas that included a broad array of new tax increases as alternatives to Gov. Jon Corzine's proposed sales tax increase. The meeting ended after four hours with no hint of agreement.
"I think that's very sad," said Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex), who has been trying to bridge the gap between the governor and Assembly leaders. "I don't know the recipe. Simple as that. I've thrown a lot of things on the table, but it takes three to make a triangle and we're not there."
Corzine remained locked in a stalemate with Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, a fellow Democrat who is leading the charge against the governor's plan to raise the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent. The governor insists that is needed to balance the budget responsibly, while Roberts contends it could be avoided with a mix of other taxes and spending cuts.
Pressure ratcheted up on Roberts yesterday as Republicans talked of a possible coup to unseat him and casino workers urged him to give in to Corzine to keep gaming halls open.
Before jumping into his car to leave Drumthwacket last night at about 9 p.m., Roberts would only say to reporters, "We had a very productive meeting."
Moments later, Codey, State Democratic Chairman Joe Cryan and Tom Shea, Corzine's chief of staff, emerged from the governor's mansion sounding far more pessimistic.
"All of us are going to talk again (today)," Codey said. "Do I expect any sign of progress to come out of that? No."
Asked if a deal could be reached by tonight, he said "it's not going to happen" because the leaders remain so far apart.