The NJ Blog

New Jersey leaders agreed on a state budget today following a six-day government shutdown that shuttered casinos and threw more than 80,000 people out of work, a high-ranking Statehouse official said.

"They'll be announcing the final elements later this afternoon,'' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Gov. Jon S. Corzine will announce the deal.

The agreement calls for using half the $1.1 billion to be raised by a sales tax increase to lower property taxes, and using all of the revenue for that purpose next year, a different high-ranking Statehouse official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The deal ends a six-day government shutdown that closed Atlantic City casinos, state parks, the lottery and dozens of different state services, including the work of casino inspectors required in the gambling halls for them to operate.

Under the deal, the sales tax will increase from 6 percent to 7 percent. State assembly lawmakers had opposed the tax increase, estimated to cost the average New Jersey family $275 per year.