South Jersey Democrats upset over exclusion from meeting

Geoff Mulvihill

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004 | 8:54 a.m.

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. -- A group of southern New Jersey Democratic lawmakers is closing ranks to protect Atlantic City from losing its exclusive hold on gaming in the state.

The lawmakers have sent a stern warning to the state's incoming and outgoing governors, both Democrats from the northern part of the state, saying they want a say on whether gambling machines will be placed in the state's horse racing tracks.

In a letter dated Monday, the 14 legislators told Gov. James E. McGreevey -- who leaves office Monday -- and state Sen. Richard Codey -- who then becomes acting governor -- they want a voice on any discussions about slot machines or video lottery terminals in the race tracks.

"We want to ensure that you have the benefit of our perspectives on this vital issue," the letter reads. "The stakes here are too high for us to ignore."

Two of the lawmakers said the letter was composed after they heard about a meeting last month involving McGreevey staffers, Codey and state Sen. William L. Gormley, D-Atlantic, in which they discussed putting slot machines at racetracks.

Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, said the letter and conversations in recent days seemed to have smoothed out the bitterness about that meeting.

"We're going to have an open line of communication," Van Drew said Wednesday. He is chairman of the Assembly committee that handles gambling and it would be difficult to advance changes in casino laws without his support.

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, D-Camden, said the southern New Jersey delegation has supported recent legislation to help the northern part of the state and said it was important to remind officials of that as they consider policies that could affect Atlantic City.

"This is all about standing together," he said.

In a state looking to add new revenue, adding slots to racetracks is an attractive option, especially as neighboring Pennsylvania does the same thing.

But for those who represent Atlantic City and nearby areas, it seems risky for an economy built around casinos that voters approved putting there in 1976.

Gormley, who represents Atlantic City, and two of the Democratic authors of the letter said they don't intend to allow slot machines in race tracks unless all or most of the casinos agree and it can be ensured Atlantic City will not lose jobs.

Gormley said Democrats simply had some miscommunication about the meeting.

"I was invited to the meeting, I went to the meeting," Gormley said. "I'm going to do that because it affects my district."