There is quite a bit a controversy in New Jersey over the Gaming Commission and the politics of Casinos in Atlantic City. You see, the New Jersey Governor used the Casinos and their income to New Jersey through gaming fees as a bargaining chip in negotiating the new budget for the State of New Jersey. Most of the legislature for the state of New Jersey was forced to ratify and complete the negotiations for the upcoming fiscal year's budget. If you'll recall the Atlantic City Casinos closed for a few days after the Fourth of July weekend because the Gaming Commission for the state did not have any money to operate until the New Jersey State Lawmakers had ratified the budget. In other words the entire state of New Jersey was closed during that period due to lack of funding. Once the Atlantic City Casinos were closed all the legislature was in the hot seat and millions of dollars were lost in revenues to the state and to the casinos as well. The Atlantic City Casinos represent an incredible number of jobs and a large portion of the State of New Jersey's budget. Several lawmakers lost political brownie points and possible funding for their political war chest for the next go around. It was amazing after the casinos had closed how quickly those politicians no longer wished to stand their ground, but rather reach a very quick compromise to save their political butts. But now many are looking at these politicians as a weak for not standing for what they believe in. Others are accusing them of hurting the Casinos in Atlantic City. And thus this political maneuver seemed to change the landscape of New Jersey politics for any upcoming elections. Please consider this in 2006. |
