A judge will rule by Friday on the state’s request for a stay of his August decision striking down changes to a law that would give the city’s casinos millions of dollars in tax breaks.

Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Michael Blee heard arguments Wednesday morning on the request for a stay until an appeal can be heard.

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy’s spokesperson Alyana Alfaro Post said the state has filed an appeal in the case.

In his Aug. 29 decision, Blee said the amended payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) law was passed on dubious grounds and violated the state Constitution by giving casinos significant tax breaks to benefit the industry rather than a public purpose.