Update on a New Jersey State of Mind

July 1st is marked in most places in the U.S. as the beginning of the seventh month of the year and the lead-up to the Independence Day holiday, but not in New Jersey where that date usually means that the annual death struggle between Democrats and Republicans over the state budget has been resolved.

The impetus for this cessation of hostilities is the state Constitution, which states that New Jersey has no authority to spend money when there is no budget agreement for the fiscal year that began at 12:01 a.m. on July 1.

This July 1st is different. The intraparty death struggle has washed over into the new fiscal year, which meant that Governor Jon Corzine has had to order nonessential government services shut down.

The state marvelous beaches, parks and campgrounds were to stay open through the July Fourth holiday. But should the impasse extend beyond Tuesday, they too would be added to the list of closed attractions.

Aside those seeking surf and sand, the biggest losers are Atlantic City's 12 casinos, which require state monitoring and pour about $2 million in tax revenue a day into the state's depleted coffers. They have been ordered to close on Wednesday.

How could this happen?

More recent visitors to Kiko's House can read my essay on A New Jersey State of Mind here for the answer.