TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan made the following comments as the Senate gave final approval to a bill he sponsored in the Senate, A-2471/S-1464, to provide tax breaks to casinos on comps to customers as part of an agreement that casinos would provide $90 million in subsidies to horse tracks in New Jersey over the next three years. The vote was 38-1.
Jim Whelan
TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill, S-1339, sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan, to require prior approval by the State Local Finance Board of large municipal property sales or leases of valuable tracts like Bader Field in Atlantic City.
“The long-term interests of taxpayers would be protected under this proposal,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “If a municipal plan that would generate revenues from a large sale is suspect, this bill would enable the Local Finance Board to require the funds be deposited in a dedicated trust for the benefit of taxpayers.”
TRENTON – A key Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill, S-1339, sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan, to require prior approval by the State Local Finance Board of large municipal property sales or leases of valuable tracts like Bader Field in Atlantic City which could generate close to a billion dollars for the casino resort.
“This bill would provide state oversight for a transaction that will have a substantial impact on local taxpayers and of critical quality of life issues affecting Atlantic City for generations,” said Senator Whelan, the former mayor of Atlantic City.
TRENTON – A Senate committee today approved separate bills sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan to keep casinos open during a state shutdown and to fund an agreement that would have casinos provide $90 million over three years to support the horse racing industry.
The Senate Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee approved S-1463, to enable casinos to be remain open if there’s another State shutdown like the one two years ago when a budget impasse forced casinos to close for three days in July, costing millions of dollars in casino tax revenues and more than $50 million in related lost revenues to the casino resort.
ATLANTIC CITY – At a news conference today at the Atlantic City Convention Center, State Senator Jim Whelan and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa Jackson unveiled a new licensing fee formula designed to introduce fairness for residential dock owners who’ve been hit by soaring tidelands licensing fees.
“Homeowners on the Jersey Shore face some of the highest costs of living in the entire Garden State,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “It seemed patently unfair to pile soaring dock fees onto these already overburdened families. This new formula represents a more rational approach to licensing our State’s tidal lands for private, residential docks owned by families living down the Shore.”
TRENTON –Senator Jim Whelan today said he believes the best way to keep Atlantic City casinos open in the event of another government shutdown is to classify State workers who oversee “revenue producing activities” as essential employees who must be kept on their jobs through State emergencies.
“Obviously, the casinos provide vital programs for seniors and the disabled with the $450 million they provide each year to the Casino Revenue Fund,” said Senator Whelan, Chairman of the Senate Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. “But I agree the State workers who oversee and regulate the State Lottery and the racetracks also should be considered essential because those activities are revenue producers too.”
TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan, Chairman of the Senate Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee, made the following comments when asked about the Senate prospects for the sports wagering bill which passed today in the Assembly.
“I don’t have a problem moving the bill forward in the Senate by hearing it in committee. It’s something I’ve supported for Atlantic City for quite sometime. The big obstacle to making it a reality, though, is the federal ban on sports betting for New Jersey which won’t go away just by our passing a bill in the State House. I believe New Jersey voters would support having state-regulated sports betting in casinos, but I don’t want to create false hopes. To give sports betting real traction, the federal ban has to be lifted.”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas P. Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset, addresses his colleagues on the floor of the State Senate.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas P. Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset, addresses his colleagues on the floor of the State Senate.
Senate Committee Hearings
TRENTON – Today, Senate President Richard J. Codey announced that Senator Jim Whelan will be the new Chair of the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.
“I thank Senate President Codey for giving me the opportunity to lead this Committee in the coming term,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “The Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee is of particular importance to the 2nd District as the continued growth of Atlantic City and its gaming, shopping and entertainment industries is vital to the region. Given that tourism is New Jersey’s second largest industry, we must also make sure to continue the Committee’s work in promoting heritage tourism and the Jersey Shore so that all areas can benefit from this major economic engine.”
TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan was sworn into the Senate today, vowing to focus his attention in the coming year to the State’s fiscal crisis, as the New Jersey State Senate commenced its 213rd Session.
“It is an honor to be sworn into the State Senate today. I look forward to continuing my service for the people of the Second District as their Senator. I am grateful for their confidence in my ability to represent them in Trenton,” said Senator Whelan after he was sworn in.