Polistina: New PILOT legislation Shouldn’t Cheat Atlantic County Taxpayers

Polistina Opposes Legislation Which Will Give Casinos Millions Taken from Atlantic County Taxpayers

Following a December 3rd analysis by the Office of Legislative Services which details a shocking reduction in revenue that would be provided to Atlantic County taxpayers as a result of S-4007, Senator Vince Polistina today expressed his opposition to the new PILOT legislation.

“The casino operators and Murphy administration made a deal with Atlantic County taxpayers when the original PILOT legislation was enacted and the litigation settled,” said Polistina (R-2). “The legislation and settlement would result in a $165 million total PILOT for 2021, with $22.275 million going to Atlantic County. Now they want to change the deal to drop the amount going to Atlantic County taxpayers to just $17.55 million, a nearly $5 million decrease. This is completely unfair given the promises made to Atlantic County taxpayers and the many challenges we have in this region.”

The companion bill, A-5587, has been referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee, which Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo (D-Atlantic) chairs and controls the agenda for.

“Assemblyman Mazzeo has the ability to prevent this legislation from getting a hearing in his Assembly committee and he should do everything in his power to make sure Atlantic County taxpayers are not cheated like this,” Polistina added. “Atlantic County voters sent me to Trenton to try to prevent irresponsible backroom schemes like this and I call on Assemblyman Mazzeo to join my fight on behalf of the many hard-working Atlantic County families we represent. Our residents absolutely do not deserve to have their taxes rise because Mazzeo’s fellow Democrats in Trenton want to take money that was promised to Atlantic County families and give it to billionaire Atlantic City casino operators.”