New Jersey Lawmakers will determine if a new referendum will allow casino companies to expand into the northern area of the state. There is a good chance the referendum will not make it to Governor Chris Christie’s desk. Current Democratic leaders of the Assembly and Senate are remaining strong against the policy.
Senate President, Steve Sweeney stated the plan needs to be enacted Monday, January 11, 2016. However, getting the bill through the last legislative session day may not occur. If the bill has to wait till next session, Sweeney may not be there. Sweeney believes the bill is going to pass the Senate.
If the bill is passed the two casinos in the works would have to be owned by a casino company already established in Atlantic City. The Assembly would also apply the requirement to one of the new licenses, but not the other. The bills are also different with regards to the tax revenue generated from gambling. One bill requires the funds to go to Atlantic City to compensate for the loss of business the casinos would face.
The other revenue would be spent on the horse racing industry and communities hosting the casinos. Any leftover revenue would be given to programs and tax relief for disabled and senior citizens.
The casino union and construction unions have endorsed Sweeney’s bill. The mayors of Jersey City, Paterson, and Newark are also among those that agree with the referendum.
However, both sides are unwilling to move, meaning the opposing side may ensure the bill does not get through the legislative session. The next session the bill would be in is in August 2016. However, putting a bill in time for the November general election may not ensure the bill gets enough notice. The bill has to pass with a three-fifths majority ruling.