(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto sponsored to help Atlantic City maintain vital public safety services during the ongoing state government takeover was advanced Monday by an Assembly panel.
“As everyone knows, I was adamant that any state takeover of Atlantic City not involve, among other things, police and firefighter layoffs that would threaten public safety and the city’s efforts to market itself as a safe and family friendly destination, but not everyone agreed,” said Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen). “The harsh reality is now setting in, sadly, but I will not stand idle and allow police and firefighter layoffs to harm public safety for residents while also hurting the public’s ability to feel confident about visiting the city.”
The bill (A-4556) would impose a daily $2 per room surcharge on hotel occupancies in Atlantic City. The bill would require that all the proceeds from these surcharges would have to be used to fund public safety services for the city. The surcharges would sunset in two years after the effective date.
“Atlantic City must remain successful for the betterment of the entire state,” Prieto said. “This would be temporary solution to ensuring public safety for the next two years, which is hopefully enough time for the city’s finances to be righted and smart decisions to be made about the city’s future.”
The bill was released by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
