The last time New Jersey’s government closed for business Gov. Jon Corzine slept in his office.
The last time New Jersey’s government closed for business Gov. Jon Corzine slept in his office, casinos were empty, thoroughbreds stayed in their stable and residents were allowed to enjoy Independence Day celebrations at state parks and beaches.
Here are five differences between the eight-day shutdown of July 2006 and the current one:
In 2006, photographers snapped pictures of state workers hauling a cot into the governor’s office as Corzine bunked in the Statehouse during some of the longest days of negotiations. The day the shutdown was lifted, Corzine emerged from his private office at 6: 15 a.m. and told reporters the cot had come in handy: « Three hours of sleep, three nights in a row. »
This year, Christie has faced a tsunami of criticism after an NJ.com photographer took pictures of the governor lounging at one of New Jersey’s most popular beaches — Island Beach State Park — which has been closed to the public due to the shutdown. Christie responded by saying « Well, I’ m sorry… they’ re not the governor . »
In 2006, Corzine was locked in battle with his own party as Senate and Assembly Democrats fought against his plan to raise the sales tax from 6 cents to 7 cents. Corzine eventually prevailed but suffered long term. Christie used the shutdown during a blistering campaign for governor three years later to criticize Corzine.
This year’s stalemate is a bit more complicated but essentially comes down to horse trading between the governor and the Democratic-led legislature.
Christie promises to approve the Democratic legislature’s budget if they pass legislation that would allow the state access to the reserves of insurer Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to help pay for drug treatment for the poor and uninsured. Assembly Democrats led by Speaker Vincent Prieto said they won’t pass it.
In 2006, the Independence Day holiday fell on a Tuesday like this year. But Corzine allowed the state’s 42 parks to remain open to allow July 4 festivities to go on unabated. Hundreds of thousands of people visited state beaches and saw fireworks displays at places like Liberty State Park.
This year, state parks and beaches were immediately closed on July 1 with police turning back thousands who tried to enter. Jersey City officials were forced to move Independence Day festivities from Liberty State Park to the much smaller Exchange Place area.
In 2006, Atlantic City casinos fell silent at 8 a.m. on July 5 when state monitors were sent home. So too were New Jersey racetracks including the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.
« Our casinos are not essential; racing is not essential, » said Corzine’s then-chief counsel, Stuart Rabner, who is now the chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
This year, casinos and racetracks have remained opened thanks to a 2008 law signed by Corzine in response to the 2006 shutdown.
It allows casinos and racetracks to stay running for up to seven days of a government shutdown. With a Friday deadline looming, Christie, the state attorney general and the head of New Jersey’s gambling enforcement division are all examining legal options to try to keep the casinos open including an executive order.
In 2006, you couldn’t buy one. And it cost New Jersey’s coffers millions.
This year, all you need is a dollar and a dream. The lottery is considered an « essential » service.
This article contains information from the Associated Press .
