On the brink of bankruptcy.......

Because of casinos......



Two N.J. lawmakers slam Atlantic City Council for buying cars for themselves

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2012

By EMILY PREVITI, Staff WriterpressofAtlanticCity.com

Two New Jersey legislators criticized Atlantic City Council today for purchasing cars for themselves despite the state's advice.

New Jersey Local Finance Board and Division of Local Government Services oversight began in Atlantic City nearly two years ago when the local government faced a budget crisis that forced officials to lay off workers and borrow nearly $8 million.

Of 10 municipalities under supervision, only Atlantic City does not receive transitional aid. The resort also is home to a dozen casinos, which are key generators of state tax revenue.

But the multi-billion-dollar industry’s struggles since 2006 also have contributed to the tax appeal case settlements that lowered property values by $4.5 billion, requiring nearly $150 million in tax refunds.

“The city only has 10 square miles of dry land,” said state Assemblyman Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, in a statement released today. “There is no reason for Council to be given special vehicles. They should climb out of their SUV’s and give up their taxpayer paid vehicles. If they were walking the streets, maybe then they would start to listen to what residents really need: more affordable taxes and a city focused on creating jobs."

Casino Gambling promised to pave the streets with gold, create an endless supply of low wage jobs. It never happened. Few businesses locate near casinos because of the crime they attract. Atlantic City epitomizes the failure of government policies that promote Gambling.


State Sen. Sam Thompson, R-12, agreed. The Old Bridge, Middlesex County-based lawmaker said he will introduce a bill Monday banning tax-funded take-home cars for part-time public officials in response to the related story published Thursday in The Press of Atlantic City, also the catalyst for Brown’s statements.

“These are locally elected officials whose public duties, I would assume, rarely take them out of town,” Thompson said in a statement. “Public servants should always be fiscally responsible with the peoples’ money, but especially in advance of rising cost burdens.”

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/two-n-j-lawmakers-slam-atlantic-city-council-for-buying/article_136f3516-0427-11e2-97e6-001a4bcf887a.html