Atlantic City

FOR RELEASE: February 17, 2006
CONTACT: Assemblyman Van Drew
(609) 381-6150 or 465-0700
Assemblyman Greenwald
(856) 435-1247 Assemblyman Whelan
(609) 383-1388

SPORTS BETTING BILL A SURE SHOT
FOR COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

(TRENTON) -- The Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee will consider legislation as early as next week that would clear the way for possible sports betting at Atlantic City casinos.

GREGG CALLS ON CORZINE TO DISREGARD RECOMMENDATION TO RAISE TAXES

DeCROCE URGES GOVERNOR CORZINE TO EXPLORE SPENDING CUTS, NOT TAX HIKES

WHELAN INTRODUCES BILL TO EXTEND SMOKING BAN
TO CASINO FLOORS
Lawmaker's First Measure Would Prohibit Smoking in All Atlantic City Casinos

(TRENTON) -- Eight new Democratic Assembly members were sworn into office yesterday, increasing the Assembly Democratic caucus' majority status to 49 seats.

WHELAN URGES HEALTH COMMITTEE TO EXTEND SMOKING BAN TO CASINO FLOORS

Codey Opens Select Rail, Bus Stations for 'Toys For Tots'
Toys accepted at NJ Transit's Four Largest Stations in South Jersey

That mantra probably belongs to the Perskie's. Former Senate Majority Leader Steven Perskie has earned his place in New Jersey history as the father of casino gambling in Atlantic City, but he wasn't the first family member to propose the idea. Perskie’s family emigrated to the United States in 1882 and settled in an agricultural colony near Vineland. Steven's great-grandparents had six children, including Jacob Perskie, the oldest son, born in 1865, and Joseph Perskie, the grandfather of the future Senator, the youngest son who was born on the farm in 1885. Jacob became a prominent portrait artist in Atlantic City, and in 1932 drew the portrait of Franklin Rosevelt that appeared on the official campaign banners for his presidential campaign that year. Jacob was considered something of a bohemian, with a mane of white hair and an ascot, and as for politics he was probably something of an anarchist. In the mid 1930’s, Jacob publicly called for the legalization of gambling in Atlantic City, for which his brother Joseph, then sitting as a New Jersey Supreme Court Justice, was mortified by the seemingly outrageous idea. Steven Perskie began his political career in 1971, at age 26, when he was part of a Democratic ticket that upset legendary State Senator Frank "Hap" Farley in an Atlantic County legislative district. Perskie later served as a State Senator, Superior Court Judge, Chief of Staff to the Governor, and Chairman of the Casino Control Commission. When he proposed casino gambling as a legislator more than thirty years later, some old timers in Atlantic City undoubtedly met young Perskie’s radicalism with a similar contempt. After a stint as a partner at Fox, Rothschild, O’Brien and Frankel, Perskie has returned to the bench, serving as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in Atlantic County. A Cousin, Timothy Perskie, has become a Republican; he works for GOP media consultant David Murray.

A PRESS CONFERENCE IS THE PERFECT TIME TO ANSWER THE TOUGH QUESTIONS
Will Forrester, Gormley, or Conover Seize the Opportunity To Come Clean with Voters?
We're Not Holding Our Breath.

Blee Supports Eminent Domain...