Senator Jennifer Beck

February 3, 2010   

Contact: Bill Murray / (609) 292-5199
Senator Jennifer Beck

Horse Racing & Casino Industries Will Receive Proposals for Renaissance

Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande commented today on an Executive Order signed by Governor Christie today that is charged with issuing recommendations to fix New Jersey’s gaming industries.

“I am very happy that Governor Christie is making the restoration of the horse racing and casino industries in New Jersey a top priority,” Beck stated. “Over the past several years arbitrary, haphazard band aid fixes have left both businesses unable to remain competitive in the face of aggressive rivalry from neighboring states.”

Executive Order 11 creates a New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Advisory Commission charged with issuing recommendations to fix New Jersey’s gaming industries. The commission shall consist of seven members Jon Hanson; Robert E. Mulcahy, Finn Wentworth, Al Leiter, Wes Lang, Debra P. DiLorenzo and Robert Holmes. The Commission is required to issue their recommendations by no later than July 1 of this year.

A study released July 28, 2009 by the Rutgers Equine Science Center stated that the equine industry in New Jersey is valued at $4 billion and supports 13, 000 jobs and 176, 000 acres of operating farmland. Additionally, the New Jersey equine industry generates more than $1.1 billion dollars in economic activity, including approximately $160 million in local, state and federal taxes.

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“New Jersey’s horse racing industry – like most of its sports, entertainment and gaming industries – is in severe distress and it’s clear that past approaches haven’t benefited any one industry,” Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer, said. “It is long past time that we took a step back and examined all the issues affecting all of our entertainment industries so we can move forward with a comprehensive plan to make them thrive and become valuable parts of our effort to fix New Jersey’s finances.”

“Horse racing is of vital importance to our local and state economy and I’m confident that Governor Christie’s commission will concur with that conclusion, and come up with creative ideas to make the industry self-sufficient and an economic driver for New Jersey,” Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer, said. “With the state facing a deficit of more than $10 billion, no one can expect a hand out, but it’s clear that this vital industry will get a hand up from the administration as part of a holistic approach that has been lacking for our sports, gaming and entertainment industries.”

A copy of the Executive order is attached: EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11

WHEREAS, on March 3, 2009, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed Executive Order No. 133 creating the Governor’s Commission on the Horse Racing Industry (“Governor’s Commission”); and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Governor’s Commission is to identify, assess, and recommend possible funding solutions for horse racing meets after 2010 and to propose long-term funding solutions that will promote the future and sustained viability of the horse racing industry in New Jersey in a written report to the Governor and Legislature by no later than July 1, 2010; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey is home to a broad entertainment industry comprised of professional sports, entertainment, horse racing, hotel-casinos, and casino-industry venues, which provide New Jersey residents, as well as visitors to the State, with a vast array of convenient and appealing entertainment options; and

WHEREAS, a healthy and viable entertainment industry is crucial to the State’s economy and provides funding for many essential programs that enhance the way of life of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey’s gaming, professional sports, and entertainment industries are confronting unprecedented financial and structural challenges that require immediate and decisive action to restore financial accountability for the benefit of New Jersey’s taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, the issues currently under consideration by the Governor’s Commission are a component of the full panoply of issues affecting the State’s professional sports, entertainment, and gaming industries; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I have the responsibility and the authority to ensure that State government and its various agencies and instrumentalities operate as efficiently and as effectively as possible;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. There is hereby created a New Jersey Gaming, Sports, and Entertainment Advisory Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Commission.

2. The Advisory Commission shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the Governor who shall serve at his pleasure. The Governor shall select a chairperson from among the members of the Advisory Commission. All members of the Advisory Commission shall serve without compensation. The Advisory Commission shall organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members.

3. The Advisory Commission is charged with developing recommendations for the Governor for a comprehensive, statewide approach regarding the issues and financial needs of New Jersey’s gaming, professional sports, and entertainment industries and making proposals for the implementation of its recommendations. In developing its recommendations, the Advisory Commission shall carefully consider the State’s long-term economic interests and this Administration’s commitment to ensuring that the State’s resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of the citizens of New Jersey. The Advisory Commission shall focus on a number of critical issues, including: (a) addressing the ongoing financial viability of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority; (b) advancing or resolving the stalled Xanadu project; (c) improving the competitiveness of the gaming industry in Atlantic City and promoting that City as a successful destination resort; (d) ensuring that horse racing becomes self-sustaining; (e) making sure that events at entertainment venues in New Jersey are appropriately scheduled, including the Izod Center and the Prudential Center, so as to ensure their financial success; and (f) such other matters as may be referred to the Advisory Commission by the Governor.

4. The Department of the Treasury shall provide staff support to the Advisory Commission. The Advisory Commission shall be authorized to call upon any department, office, division, or agency of this State to supply it with any information, personnel, or other assistance available as the Advisory Commission deems necessary to discharge its duties under this Order. Each department, office, division, and agency of this State is hereby required, to the extent not inconsistent with law, to cooperate fully with the Advisory Commission within the limits of its statutory authority and to furnish the Advisory Commission with such assistance on as timely a basis as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order. The Advisory Commission may consult with experts or other knowledgeable individuals in the public or private sector on any aspect of its mission.

5. In formulating its recommendations pursuant to this Order, the Advisory Commission shall elicit public input from individuals, organizations, community groups, and other interested parties.

6. The Advisory Commission may report to the Governor from time to time and shall issue a final report to the Governor setting forth the Advisory Commission’s recommendations pursuant to this Order no later than June 30, 2010. The Advisory Commission shall expire upon the issuance of its final report.

7. The final report of the Advisory Commission shall be provided to the Legislature and shall be made available to the public.

8. Paragraph 4 of Executive Order No. 133 (2009) is hereby amended as follows: the Governor’s Commission shall conclude its study of the horse racing industry and provide its report and recommendations to the Advisory Commission no later than April 1, 2010, at which point the Governor’s Commission shall expire. The Advisory Commission shall consider the final report and recommendations of the Governor’s Commission in connection with the formulation of its final report and recommendations to the Governor.

9. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this          day of

Two Thousand and Ten, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Thirty-Fourth.

Chris Christie

Governor

Attest:

Jeffrey S. Chiesa

Horse Racing & Casino Industries Will Receive Proposals for Renaissance Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande commented today on an Executive Order signed by Governor Christie today that is charged with issuing recommendations to fix New Jersey’s gaming industries. “I am [...]