N.J. top Dem says, 'We have to find a way to keep the tracks open'
Sen. Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., joined Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Sen. President Steve Sweeney, Gov. Chris Christie and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, in this July file photo taken at the Statehouse in Trenton.TRENTON — New Jersey’s top Democrat said today that the state Senate will not revamp the state’s gambling industry without a plan to save the state’s horse racing industry.
“We have to find a way to keep the tracks open. The governor basically said if they die, they die,” said Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester). “I think that’s too flippant a statement.”
A report by a Christie-appointed commission that the governor endorsed last month suggests several options for the future of the money-losing Meadowlands and Monmouth Park race tracks, including privatization, decreasing the number of race days, and eliminating live racing altogether at the Meadowlands. One thing it makes it clear that the $30 million subsidy provided by the casino industry will end.
Sweeney did not offer specifics on how to save the industry, saying they would be hashed out at a series of Democratic gaming summits that begins Friday in Atlantic City.
But Sweeney still opposes allowing slot machines at the tracks — an idea that most north Jersey lawmakers support but South Jersey ones oppose because they fear it could further attract business away from the already ailing Atlantic City. And he said that he does not support continuing the subsidy from the casino industry either.
“I think it’s extremely important that we find a way to make sure there are no losers in this,” he said.
Whelan said the May statement referred to the casinos’ subsidy of the tracks, and that options other than subsidies or slots should be considered to keep them alive.
“I think that the Hanson report is viewed by some as being hostile to the racing industry. I don’t want to be hostile to the racing industry,” he said.
Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said the Democrats’ first priority should be to make sure the horse racing industry can self-fund.
“It would have been better to hear some constructive ideas from the Senate President before he started complaining about our serious efforts to address the gaming and racing industry problems in New Jersey,” he said. “ So we’ll have to wait and see what ideas come from the all-Democrat gaming summit. We’re all ears and look forward to working with the Legislature on these important issues.”
Previous coverage:
• Christie's gaming industry proposal divides North, South Jersey legislators
• N.J. Gov. Christie plans takeover of Atlantic City casino district, sale of Meadowlands Racetrack
• Complete coverage of Gov. Chris Christie gaming industries overhaul