NJ Governor Christie signs executive order to help gaming industry

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.