Winning tickets will not be honored until the budget impasse is resolved.

Hopefully this is resolved soon. I'm sure those who win something would be upset not to be able to collect their winnings.

The "fool" that this governor is making of himself. Some buisnessman he is.!

He bites the hands that feed him.Smart mule, real smart...!

Well when it comes time to vote send that governor the pink slip and get a new one.  He seems like he is not looking out for the best of the state of new jersey.  I would send some of the those legislators a pink slip too.-weshar75

This guy ran on a campaign of lowering taxes, then snubbed everyone by demanding higher taxes to pay off the special interests that got him elected. It's typical NJ corrupt politics. I say we should thumb our noses to New Jersey as a whole. If they raise sales tax, then start shopping elsewhere. If you need a casino fix, go to Connecticut, New York, Delaware, West Virginia, or Ontario. Need Mega Millions? Buy them in New York or Maryland (Powerball in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware is a better deal right now).

I have been playing in other states. It's hard to because of either travel costs or if I played online they charge a 100% vig. Oh.. I get it.. this is OUR fault.. and/or Christie Whitman's fault.. or even George Bush's fault. I didn't advise any of them how to manage the budget and there is no convenient place to look it up to understand it better why there is such a problem with it. The deficit was there last year and even McGreedy didn't do this nonsense. Somebody please tell me how putting a burden on all these people who depend on these services, is going to make everyone richer tomorrow. I simply don't see it. I have a few play-aheads in nj but if/when they reopen I might boycott it a whle longer.

You must realize that the governor is not a fool.  He is just doing what the constitution of New Jersey tells him to do.  When you can't agree on a budget but the deadline you can't run the government.  They will battle it out in the next few days and it will get accomplished but it isn't the governors fault.  I mean he doesn't want to go through budget cuts and cut essential services like health care and education.  It will be interesting to see the outcome of this situation.

Brad

Brad, thax for being smart in a sea of stupid  Folks need to realize, i think over 90% of States' constitution demand a balanced budget for the fiscal year

. It's not the dude's fault.

BTW: I'm not calling LP members stuipd. I'm calling those that are blaming Corzine (sp)

Brad & Winner2b,

You two are not in NJ, so I'm not sure you know everything about this that we NJ people do.

This Governor is the worst of the worst.  He outright lied about everything.  He said he would lower taxes, and now is basically holding the state hostage, and refuses to budge until the state sales tax is raised to 7%.

He alone has the power to circumvent this "budget crisis" (a term made up by the spinners).  There is absolutely no reason to shut down the government.  It is a strong-arm negatiating tactic that is hurting everyone, instead of solving the problem.

If the representatives give into him and raise the tax, he wins but we all lose.

You two would feel a lot differently about this if it was happening to you.

You two do not live in the most corrupt state in the nation.

I do.

New Jersey is a police state. They are trying to legislate a lifestyle. I remember being a hostage to the NJ campaigns (as well as the PA ones despite living in DE, an unfortunate result of the proximity to Philadelphia). Corzine just seemed like he'd be a crook more than his opponent. He just acted like he was playing the game. Unfortunately, most voters in New Jersey aren't intelligent enough to realize what they are doing to themselves. Same is true for fickle senior citizens in Pennsylvania. I cite the election of Gov. Rendell, the re-election of Philly mayor Street, and the 3 time election of Scranton mayor Connors (who won the election by literally singing and dancing for senior citizens at church festivals).

This could be the M.O. for the governor: everyone to say PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, PLEASE RAISE OUR SALES TAX TO 7%, OR 10%, OR WHATEVER YOU WANT, YOUR EXCELLENCY! ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN SHUTTING EVERYTHING DOWN!!! Then later on to say "you WANTED me to raise the sales tax, so I did, so you should re-elect me."  I think the tactic is also know as "extortion."

Perhaps some of the $1 billion he needs is to install those cameras that photograph your license plate and send you an automatic ticket if you're 1mph or more over the limit.

I'm almost starting to miss McGreedy! 

Look on the bright side, look at the money you saving

.... well, i'm going to play my Mega Millions tickets over in New York. I'm sure, I cannot be the only one here in New Jersey that's playing else where. LOL New York will probably see a rise in lottery sales and will welcome the revenue. The lost revenue New Jersey would have had.

The worst thing about the New Jersey situation is that it helps NY Lotto and PA Unlucky for Life. At least both games are struggling.

Didn't this governor just take office in January?  I mean I am sure the governor knew this was a holiday weekend and saw that everything was going to be closed anyway.  This will be fixed by Wednesday at the lastest.

This situation happened in an episode of "The West Wing".  The executive branch has the power to do things like this. 

There is something that bugs me about this situation though....because it is a democrat governor fighting with a democrat assembly.  Now if it was a republican assembly then it wouldn't be such a weird situtation.

The governor of NJ is a tough guy.  We need more of them in politics.  Enough of this bargaining until there is no bargaining left to bargain.  He is just trying to get something done.

Brad