Atlantic City Casinos To Governor Christie: Sign The Bills
By David Madden
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., (CBS) -- Several bills aimed at helping financially beleaguered Atlantic City have sat on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's desk for most of the summer without action. Now the casino industry down the shore is calling on the Governor to act.
The Casino Association of New Jersey, in a statement, blames the delay on "internal political fighting among the city, the county and the state over the curtailment of expenses and the rightsizing of government going forward".
At risk, the association asserts, are not only PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) payments from the casinos but the re-allocation of some $60 million to the city that now goes to marketing and redevelopment efforts. The group calls the legislation "tough medicine" for all parties involved but inaction could hurt non-casino businesses in Atlantic City and taxpayers throughout the county.
There has been no comment from the Governor's office.