NJ State Shutdown and the DMV

Since Wednesday, all non-essential government services have been closed. This includes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. What you need to know is that all license, registration, and inspections expiring on JUNE 30, 2006, have been extended to JULY 31, 2006. And all license, registration, and inspections expiring on JULY 31, 2006, have been extended to AUGUST 31, 2006. That is straight off of the NJ MVC website. They also recommend that you print out this document if you plan to travel out-of-state in the event you are stopped by law enforcement. It explains that the expiration dates were extended.

If you are on suspension or have a non-resident temporary registration then you are out of luck as you will have to wait until they reopen. Here’s hoping that the state settles on a budget. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like the reduction in funding for higher education will be restored. And Governor Corzine is pushing for an increase in the sales tax to 7 percent from 6 percent. That’s what started this whole shutdown mess to begin with. He wants the increase and the Democratic legislature doesn’t. Yet the legislature hasn’t proposed any ideas of their own to close the budget gap.

What do you think of this whole situation? Sound-off in the comments.

Update: Three hours after I post this, local news stations are reporting that lawmakers have reached and agreement and Corzine will announce it later this evening. I will update you with the latest when that happens.

Update 2 (5 pm): The tentative agreement requires that half of the sales tax increase will go towards property tax relief. Voters will be able to vote on whether that will continue throughout further years. The state will go back to work within the next 24-36 hours. This budget agreement is tentative, and they still have to pour over the details to come up with a final budget.