TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Jim Whelan and Jeff Van Drew which allows casino employees to run for local office was signed into law by Governor Corzine over the weekend.
“Particularly in these tough economic times, we need to be open to including all voices within government, and giving everyone a chance to serve,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, and Chairman of the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. “In the past, we’ve prohibited casino employees from serving on Atlantic City’s governing body for fear that casinos may exert undue influence on local government. However, with so many local residents working in casinos, and with the City depending so heavily on the economic success of the industry, I think it’s more than time that we remove the prohibitions and allow casino employees to serve their community.”