New Jersey has shut down. Did you notice? Do you suppose many people there did?
The dice stopped rolling, dealers quit shuffling and slot machines fell silent Wednesday as New Jersey's casinos closed for the first time, the latest victims of a five-day state government shutdown that showed no signs of ending soon.
In the first mass closure in the 28-year history of Atlantic City's legalized gambling trade, all 12 casinos went dark. With no state budget, New Jersey cannot pay its state employees, including casino inspectors who keep tabs on the money.
Of all the things the story could have led with -- people not being able to renew their drivers' licenses, for example, or unemployment checks not going out -- how fascinating that the effect on gambling was deemed most important.
For all the complaining we do about state government in Indiana, it should be noted that we don't have crises quite like this. It might be interesting, though, to shut down our state government for a week, just to see what the effects might be, who would notice and who wouldn't even care. We at least would probably learn what are truly "essential" services and what are not, which would be a good place to start a discussion on reform.
Comments
I recall when NJ went "casino-happy" and turned from an agrarian economy to a "service" economy...blueberries, cranberries, corn...they had it all.
Good bye Mr. Peanut..hello Mr. Trump!
Walk just TWO blocks from most casinos there, and you're in a SLUM district...that's how much the casinos "helped" Atlantic City.
(speaks volumes for progreessive redevelopment, doesn't it?)
It was much nicer when it was a "family-oriented" venue. Thank God for Ocean City & Cape May!
Now in A.C., with quite a few THOUSAND workers sitting home, watching the "soaps", I'll "bet" they'd wish they STAYED with the family-oriented gig.
(There's IRONY for you...wagering on what they SHOULD have kept)
B.G.
It does seem ironic that the State of New Jersey, desparately in need of cash, closed the one source of state spending that yields cash. I'm not saying I agree that the State should run casinos, but if they're going to, it seems like they might have made an exception to the "close the state" rule for those things that are profit centers.
So 20,000+ out of work, major businesses losing $10M/day, the state losing $1.3M/day but you still think the BMV closures are more important? I think most would be arguing how ridiculous it would be to lead w/ THAT story - especially since the state said that there would be no enforcement on overdue licenses...