New Jersey Leaders Reach Agreement to End Shutdown

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ew Jersey political leaders agreed late Thursday to end a shutdown of the state's government following a five-day shutdown that halted road projects and closed everything from the Division of Motor Vehicles to Atlantic City's casinos, the Associated Press reported.

Gov. Jon Corzine (D) said the shutdown will end Friday or early Saturday, AP reported. Budget bills first must pass both the Senate and Assembly, he said.

The deal will raise the state's sales tax to 7% from 6% and use half the $1.1 billion that will raise to help lower property taxes, which are among the highest in the nation, AP said.

orzine ordered the government shutdown after lawmakers failed to pass a state budget by the deadline last Saturday. About 80,000 people were thrown out of work by the impasse, AP reported.

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