Members of the Assembly held a quick session today where they passed a bill to allow internet gaming in New Jersey and a package of bills aimed at getting residents back to work. Assemblyman Vincent Prieto (D-32), who chairs the budget committee, discussed the bills with NJ Today Managing Editor Mike Schneider.
Prieto said both sets of bills are very important for the state. He said internet gambling is likely already happening illegally in New Jersey and the new legislation would capture revenue for the state and help its casinos.
When asked if he thought the bills would become law with Gov. Chris Christie’s signature, Prieto said he is hopeful. He said the internet gaming bill is realistic and it would abide by the state constitution, which states gaming is only permitted in Atlantic City.
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“The service would be in Atlantic City so the betting would be in Atlantic City. I think it would be something that would pass the muster were somebody to challenge it,” he said. “Hopefully, the governor can understand the state needs to capture this revenue to help our casinos and actually for new programs that it also funds.”
Prieto said he believes the jobs bills are necessary since the state has seen economic downturn and now is dealing with another blow from Hurricane Sandy. He said some of the bills in the package had been vetoed before and have now been readjusted, while others are new.
Prieto said it’s very important for New Jersey to get the $60 billion federal aid President Barack Obama has proposed to help rebuild from Hurricane Sandy. He said state lawmakers signed a bipartisan resolution urging Congress to approve the aid package. “That’s very essential for us because we have to start rebuilding to some of these communities that I’ve had the opportunity to visit them and see the devastation that was done,” he said.
Some critics have said the proposed aid package has too much wasteful spending and special favors, but Prieto disagrees. “I think this is something that is money that will be used to rebuild New Jersey and put people back to work,” he said. “We have been in financial downfall for the last few years and this year, our targets, we have not been meeting them. … So we need to rebuild as quickly as possible, especially those shore areas.”