N.J. Back on Its Feet After Corzine Signs Executive Order

An eight-day government shutdown was officially ended after Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed an executive order Saturday morning that lifted the shutdown.

The shutdown paralyzed the whole of the state after temporarily laying off tens of thousands of employees and state workers.

Many businesses were also at a standstill as Atlantic City casinos closed their doors to gamblers, a first in its 28-year history of legalized gambling trade.

After the signing of the executive order, the casinos were eager to get back in business, opening their doors once again at 7 in the morning. Lottery sales followed suit, opening later the same day.

State parks and beaches are expected to open by Sunday and other government offices are expected to resume operations by Monday.

"The lives of the people of New Jersey can now, at long last, begin to return to normal," a sleepy looking Corzine said shortly after 6 a.m. Corzine had traded his formal suit and tie for jeans, and added that he was working on three hours of sleep.

The signing of the $30.9 billion budget would take place Sunday. "We're going to do a thorough and professional job," Corzine said.

On Thursday, the deadlock was finally broken when Corzine reached an agreement with the speaker of the General Assembly, Joseph J. Roberts Jr., on a proposal to raise the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent.