“This financial crisis in Atlantic City, caused by Jon Corzine’s Wall Street shell game policies, will hurt the taxpayers in Atlantic City. And it will hurt the entire region, because if critical City services like police, fire and public works cannot be funded by Council next year, Atlantic City’s appearance and safety will suffer as a tourist destination. We cannot afford to let that happen as we all know that the key to job creation in our region is having a thriving gaming destination in Atlantic City.

WHELAN BLASTS POLISTINA FOR HARMING MARKETING OF ATLANTIC CITY

NORTHFIELD – Senator Jim Whelan, responding to a Republican press conference held yesterday, blasted Assemblyman Vince Polistina for statements that harm efforts to market Atlantic City. Whelan stated:

“I understand that this is the political season and there will be some grandstanding. What I object to is that when we should be fighting for all the business we can get, Assemblyman Polistina is making false insinuations that could have a chilling effect on businesses deciding to bring their trade shows and conventions to Atlantic City.

State Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic City), the only former mayor of Atlantic City in recent history not to have been led away in handcuffs or to leave under a cloud, said he doesn't believe the federal dragnet that ensnared multiple politicians in a corruption scheme this week will significantly impact Gov. Jon Corzine, but admitted the event presents a challenge in terms of getting a positive message out there in a gubernatorial election year.

"I'm angry," said Whelan. "There's a lot of us - most of us in public service - who do it the right way. And then there's this behavior: greedy and stupid and arrogant.

"There is nothing that leads me to believe that Jon Corzine or his office will be touched directly by this stuff," Whelan added.

WHELAN SUPPORTS HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISIONS IN ECONOMIC STIMULUS ACT

TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan said today that provisions contained within the “New Jersey Economic Stimulus Act of 2009” that pertain to higher education in New Jersey would help boost the national reputation of the State’s public colleges and universities while creating new research and job opportunities for students. The “Economic Stimulus Act,” which was sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, received final legislative approval from the Senate today by a vote of 23-14.

“Our State colleges and public universities are at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to the financing of on-campus projects and the opportunities created for students through strong public-private partnerships,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, and a member of the Senate Education Committee who advocated for these policy changes while working on the higher education restructuring legislation which was approved earlier today in the Senate. “Because of the regulatory and legal blockades which prevent institutions of higher education from contracting with private entities to finance construction projects in New Jersey, colleges have to rely on inadequate State financial support or tuition revenues to build on campus. Other states have given colleges the authority to take advantage of private financing, and the results are phenomenal.

LESNIAK-WHELAN HIGHER EDUCATION RESTRUCTURING BILL APPROVED IN SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Jim Whelan which would ensure accountability and transparency at public universities and State colleges was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 36-0.

“Our State colleges and public universities are among the best in the entire country, but a lack of cost controls and general accountability has made higher education more and more unaffordable in the Garden State. By establishing greater State oversight of public college spending, and requiring thorough and complete spending audits at each of these institutions, we will be better able to maintain our world-class higher education system and keep tuition rates reasonable,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union.

SCUTARI-WHELAN 'NEW JERSEY COMPASSIONATE USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT' ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Nicholas P. Scutari and Jim Whelan to legalize medical marijuana for those suffering from chronic and terminal diseases was approved by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today by a vote of 8-1, with 2 abstentions.

“Through this bill, New Jersey is sending a message that compassion for the sick and dying is of paramount importance,” said Senator Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset. “For those people suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses, who live in constant pain or are at death’s door, we must provide access to medical marijuana if it will help relieve their symptoms or give them a measure of comfort in their final hours. New Jersey gains no benefit from going after sick and dying people, who have run out of options and are otherwise law-abiding citizens.”

SENATOR WHELAN REMINDS SENIORS AND DISABLED HOMEOWNERS -- IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO APPLY FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

NORTHFIELD – State Senator Jim Whelan wants to remind eligible seniors and disabled homeowners that it’s not too late to apply for property tax relief, noting that the deadline for homeowners to file 2008 Homestead Rebate applications and Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement applications has been extended from June 1 to August 17.

“At a time when seniors and disabled homeowners on fixed incomes are stretching every penny further to make ends meet, the deadline extension for these vital property tax relief programs is welcome news,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “Many senior and disabled homeowners were not aware of the June 1 deadline and had not filed in time. However, the deadline extension gives these folks plenty of time to complete their applications and get them into Trenton.”

WHELAN: ATLANTIC CITY NEEDS BOLD ACTIONS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE

Atlantic City—During the East Coast Gaming Congress’s 13th Annual Conference in Atlantic City, State Senator Jim Whelan said today that city and state government must act boldly to save the Atlantic City gaming industry, including dramatic changes to the regulatory structure and aggressive development of “dead zones” between existing casinos.

“Atlantic City is bleeding and will continue to hemorrhage – not just from the economic slump, but also as new gaming jurisdictions are coming online in Philadelphia and other parts of Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware,” said Senator Whelan. “If ever there was a time to take significant measures to change our regulatory structure and devise new guidelines for development, the time is now.

WHELAN-VAN DREW BILL TO STRENGTHEN CASINO INDUSTRY SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Jim Whelan and Jeff Van Drew which strengthens the State’s casino industry by removing archaic casino regulations which hamper economic growth in Atlantic City was signed into law today by the Governor.

“This new law is about leveling the playing field for New Jersey’s struggling casino industry, and giving casinos a needed hand to make it through the current national recession,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, and Chairman of the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. “At a time when every cent of savings helps, this bill removes unnecessary and draconian regulations which only serve to drive up the bottom line on casinos and bog honest people down in red tape. With his signature today, Governor Corzine has shown that he favors the economic vitality of the region over continuation of pointless bureaucracy.”

WHELAN-VAN DREW BILL TO ALLOW CASINO WORKERS TO RUN FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICE SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Jim Whelan and Jeff Van Drew which allows casino employees to run for local office was signed into law by Governor Corzine over the weekend.

“Particularly in these tough economic times, we need to be open to including all voices within government, and giving everyone a chance to serve,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, and Chairman of the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. “In the past, we’ve prohibited casino employees from serving on Atlantic City’s governing body for fear that casinos may exert undue influence on local government. However, with so many local residents working in casinos, and with the City depending so heavily on the economic success of the industry, I think it’s more than time that we remove the prohibitions and allow casino employees to serve their community.”