Mukherji announces he’s backing Prieto’s plan to save Atlantic City

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Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-33) is joining the list of Democrats who are backing Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto’s (D-32) plan to save Atlantic City, urging Gov. Chris Christie (R) and state Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) to work out a compromise. Raj Mukherji

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“Atlantic City is facing a serious crisis, and its bankruptcy would have a ripple effect on other municipalities, including urban cities in my district that would face credit downgrades in challenging times,” Mukherji said in a statement released late this afternoon.

“To that end, Speaker Prieto has offered the participation of the Assembly in crafting PILOT and takeover legislation that would allow Atlantic City – a vital economic contributor to our state – to avoid insolvency without an opt-out provision that would undermine the PILOT agreement if voters approve North Jersey casinos in order to keep the state’s gaming industry viable.”

Mukherji, a longtime supporter of bringing casinos to North Jersey, believes that Atlantic City can still be saved: despite a whopping $437 million in debt.

If legislation is not passed in short order, a three-week shutdown of the city, beginning April 8th, appears inevitable (h/t Philly Voice).

“Further, critical details in the proposed legislation would be considered in a measured way, so that possible alternatives are considered. Having discussed the matter at length with Mayor Guardian and other stakeholders, I stand with Speaker Prieto in insisting that the Assembly be a part of the process of saving Atlantic City.”

Prieto and Christie traded blows on the subject last week, with the governor claiming that Prieto was playing “public sector union politics” for the best interests of Jersey City Steven Fulop – who recently launched a website calling for Christie’s resignation and seems like nearly a sure thing to run for governor next year.

The Assembly Speaker retaliated that real problem here is Christie’s inaction, given that Atlantic City has been under state supervision since 2010 and under Title 52, the state has the power to intervene if a municipality is going to default on their debt payments.

Assemblywomen Mila Jasey (D-27), Elizabeth Maher Muoio (D-15), Marlene Caride (D-36), Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37) and Assemblymen Reed Gusciora (D-15) and Ralph Caputo (D-28) have all called on the governor to reach an agreement this week.


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2 COMMENTS

  1. All well and good.However, primarily we should find out and understand completely how this debt was incurred. Make sure that we did not make the same mistakes again and then forge ahead with a new plan.To get off topic,I would love to see which assemblyman or assemblywoman would put forth ,to the assembly, a bill calling for paper receipts that need to be signed by the voters during elections of a computer machine.There should be ZERO opposition to this idea ,insofar as validating and assuring to the public that these machines are not being corrupted.no credit card company ever complains about giving you double receipts and the cost and effectiveness of them,so money can not be an issue.There needs to be more confidence in our voting system one now with these children can hack into the cell phone and computer and not even get caught. By no means should you take this as a joke, in the year 2000 a computer engineer was hired by a senator to do just the same thing, it is 16 years later the technology is far more advanced.He testified to such.SIGNED PAPER VOTER RECEIPTS ARE A MUST FOR OUR VOTING FUTURE.As our representatives you must avoid even the appearance of impropriety.Enough is enough,it is time for our legislators to do things that benefit us all and protect us from corruption, rather than trying to be a pseudo businessman.

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