The big New Jersey news today is the release of the committee report on Atlantic City and the Meadowlands. Governor Christie is backing the report's recommendations:
"This report is a blueprint that will guide our efforts in managing and protecting our gaming, sports and entertainment resources more responsibly and reforming issues critical to New Jersey's economic future," said Governor Christie. "I look forward to reviewing all of the Commission's recommendations so that we can put these industries on a solid foundation and path to long-term economic growth and prosperity."
He'll be holding a second press conference at 2pm in Atlantic City.
(Update: NJN will stream it here)
Key elements are a state takeover of the casino district in Atlantic City to make it "clean and safe," elimination of the thoroughbred meet at the Meadowlands, and qualified support for more state aid to Xanadu. Also, no video lottery terminals (VLTs) outside Atlantic City for now. Horse racing, in short, is dying. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority would be closed.
The report calls for the privatization of IZOD and PNC Arts Center while at the same time wants to "ensure that competition among them is mutually beneficial and not counterproductive to their financial success." I laughed at that contradiction (and this one too), but the whole situation is an unholy mess of regulation, socialism, capitalism, greed, corruption, immorality, and failure. In any case, I have no opinion of what should be done now.
Here are the Press of Atlantic City coverage and NJ.com coverage.
Reactions are all over the map -- Blue Jersey has already heard from Democrats who support the plan and those who reject it.
Assemblyman Paul Moriarty praises it:
"This report will require a thorough and careful analysis, but I am pleased to hear the emphasis it places on keeping Atlantic City as New Jersey's entertainment and gaming focal point...
Senator Steve Sweeney mocks it:
"Anyone who walks the Atlantic City Boardwalk for five minutes would come to the same conclusions that it took this commission six months of closed-door meetings to reach," said Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem). "Improving New Jersey's gaming and entertainment industry means more than just cleaning the streets and slapping on some paint. It means bringing new products into the market that will attract visitors and beat back the steady stream of new competitors. It means creating jobs and welcoming businesses. This report only goes half way."
Sweeney, Barbara Buono, and Paul Sarlo point instead to their "gaming summit" next month.
Assemblywoman Connie Wagner opposes the report:
"Any recommendation to sell or close the Meadowlands race track is beyond disappointing. I urge Gov. Christie to reject it and instead embrace efforts to bring video lottery terminals to the track to modernize it and allow it to readily compete with other states.
Senator Jim Whelan is thoughtful:
"Obviously, we need serious, system-wide changes to the way New Jersey manages and regulates gaming and entertainment, in Atlantic City and across the State. You don't have to look any further than the casinos' bottom line to see that the current system is failing the businesses, and it's failing the people of the State.
"We are happy that the Governor has put a new focus on Atlantic City, but even after seeing the report, there are more questions than answers. Hopefully, moving forward through the Gaming Summit that Senate President Sweeny has proposed, we can get those answers.
"Gaming deregulation, sports betting, Internet betting, lowering the 500-room requirement for casinos, and the completion of the Revel casino are all issues where details are lacking; these matters must be a part of the solution to revitalize Atlantic City."
Tell us what you think should be done.
Update: More varied reaction. Lesniak reaches back to 1984 to ask "Where's the beef?" and continues to flog the dead horse of sports betting, while Van Drew calls the report "encouraging" and "a great starting point." |
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