Atlantic City, former cash cow for N.J., likely to go under state control

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday the state will assume vast control over Atlantic City's finances and decision-making, saying the seaside gambling resort is incapable of getting its finances together after years of overspending.

Christie, a Republican presidential candidate, was joined by the Democratic leader of the state Senate, who has already introduced a takeover bill, and the Republican mayor of Atlantic City, who reluctantly went along with the plan.

"Atlantic City's government has too much debt and it's too expensive to run for the tax base it has," Christie said. "Atlantic City's finances are now the greatest threat to the city's well-being. The urgency of the city's current financial predicament cannot be overstated."

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Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney said the takeover bill in the Legislature will be amended to incorporate elements of a financial assistance package the governor vetoed last week. That includes a provision to let the city's eight casinos make payments in lieu of taxes and prohibit them from appealing their taxes.

"We have to fix this government," Sweeney said.

The legislation, which must be approved by the state Legislature, will also let the state negotiate to restructure municipal debt, give it the right to cancel collective bargaining agreements, and sell off city assets and land.

Mayor Don Guardian, who initially opposed a takeover, said Tuesday he decided to accept the state's help.

"It's time for some tough decisions and some pain as we move forward," he told reporters at a Statehouse news conference.

Hours later, the City Council voted 9-0 to "join negotiations on a new partnership bill," Councilman Jesse Kurtz said. The council had intended to vote on whether to ask the state for permission to file for bankruptcy.

Christie called for the legislation to be introduced and passed before the end of February, and he made a rare promise in advance to sign it. The state takeover would last five years instead of the 15 envisioned in the original legislation.

Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, a Democrat, said he has serious concerns about the state being given the right to cancel collective bargaining agreements. Prieto, who was not at the news conference, also cautioned Christie and Sweeney not to ignore him.

"If the Assembly is not involved, then there is no agreement," he said.

Aid package previously vetoed

The cash-strapped city has been pondering whether to ask the state for permission to declare bankruptcy a request that appears less likely to be granted in light of the takeover plan. The City Council was to discuss a bankruptcy filing Tuesday afternoon, but cannot actually make a filing without state approval.

The struggling seaside gambling resort is still reeling from Christie's veto of a financial aid package, $160 million US in tax appeals from its top casino and the continuing slowdown of its casino industry.

Christie has long been critical of Atlantic City's municipal government, saying it spends far more than it takes in and repeatedly turns to the state for bailouts.

Guardian, entering his third year in office, says his administration has cooperated with Christie in making painful budget cuts and is willing to do more.

Atlantic City's budget woes have been exacerbated by the cratering of its casino industry. In 2014, four of its 12 casinos went out of business. And many of the remaining casinos have successfully appealed their property taxes, convincing a tax court that they are worth less in a diminished market than they were when times were better.

Atlantic City's casino revenue has fallen from $5.2 billion in 2006 to $2.56 billion last year.