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 ...
I think so but we live within 20 miles of AC so she ususally went down with one of her friends. Heck I am still getting comps for her in the mail and she passed away 2 years ago.
Thanks to Floriozine, the casinos are exempt from gamblers too!
Waste management?
Thanks!
-----
I hope you are a conservative lawyer!
Conservative? Yes. Lawyer? No.
(Why in the world would I want to be an Officer of the Court? :)
Nope, just a commonsense kinda gal with a huge respect for the original intent of the Founders and several years of legal study for my own edification.
(grin)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.