The Democrats-only day-long gambling summit is underway in Atlantic City - the first of 3 planned. This is the Democrats' - 10 of them are down there - rapid-response answer to the Hanson Report, the 6-month review of NJ's massive gambling industry delivered at the request of Chris Christie. That's the report that calls for a massive overhaul of Atlantic City's entertainment centers, putting them under government control. And it also recommended NJ unload Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park, and get the state out of the failing horseracing business - alarming that industry's two biggest champions, both Democrats; Steve Sweeney and James Whelan.
The day began with a red-coated bugler, signaling - in case you missed it - that a lot of the conversation will be about the horsies. I can't view the stream from where I am, but I understand there have been some testy moments, including some harsh talk about the breakdown between North and South, and the state's big investment in Atlantic City. Bright lights. Blighted city. Bring your mortgage money.
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