| February 9, 2010
Our good friend Assemblyman Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic) is taking aim at state Senator Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) for championing a sports betting bill that doesn't provide for Atlantic City's economically depressed casino industry as the sole legal venue.
The legislation titled SCR-49/ACR-98 (pdf) is sponsored in the State Senate by Ray "Our Love is Real" Lesniak and Jeff "Boots" Van Drew. According to its synopsis, the bill "Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing Legislature by law to allow in-person wagering and account wagering on sports events at Atlantic City casinos and at racetracks." The key phrase here is "and at racetracks," Save Jerseyans. There is no racetrack in Atlantic City. Whelan allowed this bill to leave his committee despite the fact that his district's largest industry could face competition from North Jersey racetracks for precious gambling and tourism dollars if SCR-49 is passed.
Granted, Assemblyman Polistina and state Senator Whelan have had an icy relationship ever since the Norcross Democrat outspent former state Senator Sonny McCullough (R-Egg Harbor) in 2007. Just don't expect a thaw anytime soon, as Polistina is Whelan's likely challenger in 2011. We're big fans of Vince Polistina here at Save Jersey, and your Blogger-in-Chief will happily keep you up-to-date as one of the state's most compelling Republican politicians makes a play for higher elected office.
In the interim, Polistina released a passionate statement criticizing Whelan while also offering to propose a remedial amendment to ACR-98:
As the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee passed a bill today proposing a constitutional amendment that would authorize the Legislature to allow in-person and internet wagering on sporting events, Assembly Deputy Republican Leader Vince Polistina questioned why the interests of Atlantic City were not represented by the committee’s chairman, Sen. James Whelan, D-Atlantic.
“As Atlantic City’s economy continues to decline, Senator Whelan chose to let his committee pass a bill without lifting a finger to help the casinos,” said Polistina, R-Atlantic. “The appropriate venue for sports wagering is in the casinos. Sen. Whelan must not realize the district he represents is suffering economically and struggling to survive. He is gambling with the future of one of South Jersey’s most important industries at a time when we can’t afford to roll those dice.”
The bill, SCR-49, is sponsored by Senators Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, and Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May. Its counterpart in the Assembly, ACR-98, was scheduled to heard in the Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee, but was held at the last minute.
“I am prepared to offer an amendment to ACR-98 that would only permit sports betting in casinos,” said Polistina, who is a member of the committee. “Unlike the senator representing Atlantic County, I believe that my top priority is to help my constituents. With revenues declining, development at a near standstill and an unemployment rate significantly higher than the state average of 10 percent, the area needs an advocate who knows how to help. From the results in today’s senate committee, Sen. Whelan does not have the answers that address the concerns of his constituents.”
Polistina (left) pictured with Governor Christie (center) & Assemblyman John Amodeo (right).
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