Chris Christie hurries Atlantic City’s aid ballot

Christie supports bills, which allow casinos to make payments in lieu of taxes.

US.- Atlantic City announced that it will run out of money in April 8 due to its financial crisis, which directly affects the gaming sector, the largest taxpayer of the region. Republican governor, Chris Christie is trying to set an urgent date with Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto’s chamber to pass the two aid bills that would mend the situation.

Christie’s proposals can take place soon, but Prieto’s condition is that the Republican officer must drop a provision that avoids canceling public employee union contracts in New Jersey. “With the clock ticking, the Assembly speaker continues to play public sector union politics at the expense of the residents of Atlantic City and Atlantic County. It’s time for the games to end, and for Speaker Prieto to post the bill,” demanded Brian Murray, Christie’s spokesman.

Governor Chris Christie insists on having a bipartisan agreement with Democrat Senate President, Steve Sweeney, which establishes the basis to take over Atlantic City’s financial operations. Nevertheless, Assembly members Ralph Caputo and Valerie Vainieri Huttle asked the same day a reunion with Christie, Prieto and other public officers to discuss the financial rescue of Atlantic City. Christie’s answer was that he would veto the bill if the decisions made in this gathering ended up changing any part. This could be because Caputo highlighted that the Republican officer added a condition to the bill that would let casinos back out of the payment if the gambling activity arrives to the northern New Jersey suburbs.

As to Prieto, Tom Hester, his spokesman, commented that the Assembly Speaker believes Christie has the influence to change the situation of Atlantic City and laughed at the requirement by calling it “more juvenile gamesmanship by the governor.” Caputo added: “Speaker Prieto has continuously expressed an interest in sitting down and working out a compromise that still protects Atlantic City’s future without trampling on the rights of the public workers who put their life on the line every day. The governor should take him up on this offer.”