Casinos ordered to shut down
Atlantic City’s casinos were ordered to close Wednesday, the latest casualty of a state government shutdown that began after the Legislature failed to adopt a budget by its July 1 deadline.
The head of the Casino Control Commission ordered gaming in Atlantic City to cease at 8 a.m. Wednesday if New Jersey fails to enact a budget by then.
Atlantic City’s 12 casinos, which require state monitoring, have waged a court battle to remain open, and an appeals court was weighing the matter Sunday.
State parks, beaches and historic sites also were expected to shut down Wednesday.
If the casinos shut down, the state would lose an estimated $2 million in tax revenue each day they stayed closed.
Gov. Jon Corzine shut down nonessential government services Saturday after the Legislature failed to adopt a budget by its July 1 deadline, leaving the state without the means to spend money. Budget talks became heated this year as Corzine, a Democrat, proposed increasing the state sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent to help overcome a $4.5 billion budget deficit.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
Reports to clarify monitoring issue
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered the release of intelligence reports prepared for the state Office of Homeland Security, a move administration officials say will quell complaints that California engaged in widespread monitoring of political protests.
State lawmakers have complained that two homeland security intelligence reports from March and April carried details about the location and purpose of political rallies. The reports were obtained by the Los Angeles Times and detailed in an article published Saturday.
The governor’s homeland security director, Matthew Bettenhausen, said the rally information was mistakenly included in the reports by a private contractor working for his office.
MADISON, Ind.
Eleven hurt when car hits crowd
A car plowed into a crowd Sunday at a speedboat race on the Ohio River, injuring 11 people, police said.
The driver, Michael Bowen, 18, was slumped over the steering wheel as the vehicle approached a crowd barrier along the riverfront at the Madison Regatta, Madison Police Chief Bob Wolf said.
The car cut through the crowd, hit a golf cart used by officials and stopped about 25 feet out in the Ohio River. Bowen was unconscious when he was pulled from the water, Wolf said.
Bowen and a juvenile passenger were among the 11 injured.
Police do not know what caused the accident, but said charges may be filed.