Senator Jim Whelan

“If Senator Whelan truly believes what he said yesterday and disavows what he said six weeks ago, then he should immediately pledge his support for state legislation to do for New Jersey what County Executive Dennis Levinson and the Republican Freeholder Board has done for Atlantic County"

“The fact is Senator Whelan has mastered the art of negative campaigning. He’s an expert at it.”

TRENTON – A Senate panel today advanced a bill, S-1987, sponsored by Senators Jim Whelan and Jeff Van Drew to authorize casino workers to seek election to the Council in Atlantic City.

            “This (bill) will broaden the pool of talented and concerned local residents who can help lead Atlantic City in these complex times,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “The stringent employment standards for casino employees will ensure candidates are of the utmost integrity.”

ALANTIC CITY – Governor Jon S. Corzine signed legislation today sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan that transfers ownership of the Atlantic City Convention Center from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (Sports Authority) to the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority (Visitors Authority).

            “We’re streamlining the management of the Convention Center and making it more responsive to the needs of Atlantic City,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic.  “It no longer makes sense to have the Sports Authority up in the Meadowlands owning the Convention Center in Atlantic City, especially since the Visitors’ Authority has been running it since the day it opened.”

TRENTON – The Senate today approved legislation, S1463, sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, to allow casinos, racetracks and simulcasting operations to stay open for up to seven days in the event of a State government shutdown similar to the crisis caused by the July 2006 budget impasse. The vote was 39-0.

            “Hopefully, we will never have to implement this proposal, but it’s really a fundamental economic necessity for the people of Atlantic City,” said Senator Whelan. “We have to be prepared, based on what we faced two years ago, to have a system in place to keep the casinos open.”

RENTON – A Senate committee today approved separate bills sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan to keep casinos open during a state shutdown and to fund an agreement that would have casinos provide $90 million over three years to support the horse racing industry.

TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan, Chairman of the Senate Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee, made the following comments when asked about the Senate prospects for the sports wagering bill which passed today in the Assembly.