Assembly Panel Passes Prieto Bill To Shore Up Atlantic City
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Legislation to help Atlantic City with its struggling finances advanced in the Democrat-led Assembly.
An Assembly committee on Thursday unanimously approved the measure that gives the city up to two years before a full state takeover in exchange for city government meeting financial benchmarks. The bill differs from one the Senate passed and that Republican Gov. Chris Christie backs to allow for a state takeover.
Christie said Thursday at a separate news conference that his "door is always open'' but that he wants the original bill.
"I want to fix Atlantic City," Christie said. "I've negotiated plenty on this issue already."
Christie previously said he opposed the plan backed by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and instead wants the takeover legislation.
The Assembly committee earlier approved Prieto's plan but reconsidered, clarifying city schools will get a share of payments made by casinos in lieu of taxes.
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