N.J. Governor May Order State Shutdown

[mcscajun]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP)

(snip)

Gov. Jon S. Corzine was expected Saturday morning to order an unprecedented state government shutdown after an hourlong meeting Friday night with top legislative officials failed to resolve differences.

A shutdown could freeze the state lottery, suspend road projects, close parks and possibly darken casinos.

(snip)

The state Constitution requires a balanced budget by July 1, but the deadline has been missed four times in five years. Nothing happened when deadlines were missed before, but the state never went past the morning of July 2 without an adopted budget. Without one, the state has no authority to spend money.

(snip)

Leaders from state worker unions said the administration was telling workers whether their jobs were considered essential and if they should report to work on Monday. State Personnal Commissioner Rolando Torres advised state employees to check the state's Web site for updated information.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-New-Jersey-Budget.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[TheFarseer]

1. Not to trivialize this crisis

but will this hurt Menendez or are the two going to be seen as totally unconnected?

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. It shouldn't be connected

Menendez has nothing to do with state government matters, but somehow I think the Republicans will spin this against him