New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has nominated Michael D. Beson, the former mayor of Neptune, Monmouth County, to serve as a member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). The body is in charge of allotting funds from Atlantic City’s casino industry for public-interest projects across the state.
If confirmed by the Senate, Beson would replace Frank Spencer, general vice president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
According to the New Jersey Globe, Beson is a familiar face in state politics. He is currently the Democratic municipal chairman from Ocean Township and a Monmouth County state committeeman from as well as a former aide to Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., a Long Branch Democrat.
The nomination of Beson to the CRDA post comes six months after Murphy withdrew his name as a nominee for the New Jersey Transit Board. Beson’s nomination sat for nearly two years without Senate confirmation. The authority directs the spending of a huge pot of money to fund projects in Atlantic City and across the state. In 2018, Murphy signed legislation that would send sports betting taxes to the authority.
The authority uses parking revenues in Atlantic City to fund economic development projects. It also runs the Atlantic City Convention Center and the historic Boardwalk Hall. They have invested more than $2 billion to grow the state’s economy and attract visitors to Atlantic City.
