New Jersey shutdown sting continues; Christie orders lawmakers back

 New Jersey state capitol building in Trenton. (NewsWorks file photo)

New Jersey state capitol building in Trenton. (NewsWorks file photo)

New Jersey’s government shutdown is dragging on without a resolution to the stalemate between Republican Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto.

And the state is beginning to feel the sting of shuttered services.

Christie ordered the Democrat-led Legislature to return Sunday to consider a path around the impasse

At issue is Christie’s proposal to overhaul the state’s largest health insurer. Democrats are splintered, with Prieto opposed to the plan, but Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney behind it.

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Christie ordered the shutdown of nonessential state services, like parks and motor vehicle offices, Friday after he and lawmakers failed to agree on terms to enact a $34.7 billion budget.

The public is shut out of state parks and turned away from motor vehicle agencies. State workers have been furloughed.

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