TRENTON – Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem) today hailed the signing of landmark bipartisan legislation that will reposition Atlantic City’s tourism economy and business climate to protect countless jobs throughout the resort and help it compete more effectively with out-of-state casinos.
Sweeney released the following statement:
“Atlantic City is the economic engine of South Jersey, and today we have given that engine a kick-start.
“Today is about more than just Atlantic City, it’s about the men and women who make Atlantic City work. It’s about protecting tens of thousands of jobs and creating a business and tourism climate that can produce thousands more. It’s about getting people working again to get Revel completed and new attractions built. It’s about opening the resort to new partners with new ideas for Atlantic City than can once again make it a worldwide attraction for new visitors.
“This is the culmination of a monumental effort. In July, the Hanson Commission released its ideas, the legislative gaming summit built upon that foundation, and working together we came to the bipartisan agreements the governor signed today.
“I congratulate Senator Whelan for the work he did to make these bills a reality. I thank Senators Van Drew, Lesniak and Sarlo for their valued input and partnership as members of the gaming summit. And I thank the governor for working with us to ensure an end product that accomplishes what we all have sought to do from the outset — creating a new day for Atlantic City.”