On June 21, New Jersey lawmakers approved legislation that extends the state takeover of much of Atlantic City for another four years. If signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy, the takeover will have run for a total of nine years when this phase concludes, according to the Associated Press.
Supporters of the 2016 state takeover said it would help reduce expenses and high taxes and put a leash on a local government known for corruption, all of which have existed despite the presence of the multibillion-dollar casino industry. The financial issues at the time were exacerbated by successful tax appeals by the casinos.
That measure also took away civil service rights and protections from many city workers; the new one restores those protections. “It’s important for the morale of the police and fire departments, with the understanding that we can’t go back to past practices with big increases in contracts,” Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo said.
Concurrently, City Council members Latoya Dunston and Moisse Delgado called for the New Jersey State Police to oversee the Atlantic City police department to deal with a rash of violent crime. The weekend prior to the legislative action saw a fatal shooting and stabbing.
“We are in desperate need of action by the governor’s office and the state police, not tomorrow, but today,” Dunston said.
