TRENTON — State support for horse racing would continue for three years under an agreement approved by the Legislature tonight. The agreement was hammered out over hours of negotiations and include some tweaks to the deregulation of Atlantic City casinos that was also part of the bill. "I know that the legislation isn’t perfect, but we cannot waste time...
Alexia Kehl, who works for driver Rick MaGee, leaves the paddock after morning qualifying races at the Meadowlands Racetrack in November.TRENTON — State support for horse racing would continue for three years under an agreement approved by the Legislature tonight.
The agreement was hammered out over hours of negotiations and include some tweaks to the deregulation of Atlantic City casinos that was also part of the bill.
"I know that the legislation isn’t perfect, but we cannot waste time chasing the perfect set of bills while Atlantic City residents continue to deal with joblessness, economic hardship and financial ruin," Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) said.
The bill, however, drew the ire of Assemblyman Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic).
"(Whelan) settled to get something done instead of getting something substantial done," Polistina said.
Gov. Chris Christie has voiced disapproval of any state assistance for horse racing. His office would not comment about the new agreement.
Under the amended legislation, $15 million would be transferred this year from the Casino Redevelopment Authority to the New Jersey Racing Commission. The amount would decrease by $5 million every year.
Christie has control over the subsidies because he can override actions by the commission.
In July, Christie vowed an end to state assistance to horse racing after a task force recommended ending racing at the Meadowlands to eventually prepare both tracks for sale to a private entity.
Last month, Christie announced a deal to move the Meadowlands into private control by April. Horse racing at the track will be subsidized for three months through a loan that would be paid back once the Meadowlands started offering off-track betting. Jeff Gural, owner of two harness racing tracks in upstate New York, was identified as the likely party to take over a lease of the Meadowlands.
The measure also made changes to the casino deregulation that Christie has identified as a priority because money the casinos save will be used for marketing the resort town.
Critics have said eliminating the Casino Control Commission and moving its duties into the Attorney General’s office could lead to an increase in corruption and fraud, a criticism Christie has dismissed.
The bill also creates a tourism district in Atlantic City that would be controlled by the state. The proposed legislation was amended to define the boundaries of the new district and to eliminate a proposal that would create a new division of Atlantic City police. Instead, local and state authorities would develop a safety plan for the whole city.
The bill also takes any possible proceeds from a sale of the Atlantic City airport to fund transportation projects in eight southern counties.