The following press release arrived this morning from the NJ Assembly Democrats. Worth reading as a lot of what is on the agenda Monday could effect the Atlantic City region. There are also links to the full agenda below as well as a live stream of Monday’s (Feb. 8)  hearings. The full committee agendas can be found here.

(TRENTON) – Legislation to update New Jersey’s economic stimulus legislation, help pave the way for sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos and racetracks and protect consumers from check scams and toxic jewelry top Monday’s Assembly committee agendas, with panels also set to discuss ways to ease burdensome business regulations and save thousands of port jobs.

Assembly panels will also hear bills to help businesses save on energy use, combat bedbugs in apartment complexes and protect consumer debit card account numbers.

All hearings will be streamed live here.

The Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee will consider legislation (A-2059) sponsored by its new chairman, Albert Coutinho (D-Essex), to update the landmark New Jersey Economic Stimulus Act of 2009. Coutinho was the prime sponsor of that 2009 law.

“Democrats took a broad approach last year toward jumpstarting local economic development projects and creating new jobs, but clearly we have more work to do and this bill is a step toward that goal,” Coutinho said.

The panel will also hear testimony on the need to address the Bayonne Bridge’s low clearance and keep New Jersey’s port economy vibrant. The Bayonne Bridge is too low to allow new super-sized cargo ships to reach Port Newark and Port Elizabeth.

The new Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee will hear testimony on ways to improve New Jersey’s regulatory environment. It will also consider legislation (ACR-98) to  ask voters to authorize the Legislature to enact laws allowing sports wagering at casinos in Atlantic City and at racetracks.
“Sports betting already exists in New Jersey, but only the criminals are enjoying the profits,” said Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem), the panel’s chairman.
The sponsors noted Las Vegas expects to see $100 million in wagering on Sunday’s Super Bowl, while Atlantic City will see no such activity on professional football’s biggest day.
“There are multiple dividends for New Jersey if sports gambling were to be provided at Atlantic City’s casinos,” said Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May). “Atlantic City’s casinos again lose out as bettors flock to Las Vegas.”

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Grammy Award-winning recording artist Ashanti — goddaughter of Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford and his wife Nynell — will perform at Mayor Langford’s Inaugural Gala on Friday, Jan. 8, in the Grand Ballroom of Trump Taj Mahal.
Ashanti rose to famed in the early 2000s as a singer, songwriter, actress and model. Her hit songs include “Foolish,” “What’s Luv?” and “Always on Time.” In addition to her Grammy she has received eight Billboard awards, two American Music awards, an NAACP Image award, and Lady of Soul and Teen Choice awards.
The gala starts at 6pm and is open to the public. A $250 per-person cost includes the Ashanti’s performance, delectable cuisine, dancing and additional live entertainment by Billy Paul and Valerie Adams & the Dimensions. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, the Police Athletic League, and the Robinson Small Learning Center. For more information, call 345-0787.

As we all know from watching the West Wing, while the winners and losers of yesterday’s election are all saying the right things and striking a consolatory tone in their speeches, they are ranting and raving behind closed doors. But like a football victory, let’s hope the crowing stays behind closed doors, and that the job of embracing an angry nation’s distress, and finding palatable and workable bi-partisan solutions will be achieved. That said, I’m no politician. I am a Bush basher and hope that he understands the message being sent by the ballot box. President Bush, listen to your advisors. Fire Rumsfeld. That will send a clear message that you are willing to—and I hate this phrase—“Change the culture of our Iraqi policy.” Work together with the new Congress to find a road you can both walk towards a resolution of the mess in Iraqi. Our politicians might use party politics as a nasty club to bash opponents with ridiculous and seemingly libelous accusations, but after the votes are counted we are not going out and killing members of the other tribe. In our hearts and souls we are Americans first. Let’s show the rest of the world what “United We Stand” really means. For a more formal fire Rumsfeld argument check out this link http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/08/AR2006110800894.html
Later
P.S. Don’t you love this picture. For more like it, check out http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-rumsfeldreloaded.htm

Toronto, Ontario—The Toronto International Film Festival has always been a forum for controversial films and this year’s edition is no exception. Knowing that the nature of the film would ignite controversy, the festival tried to downplay Death of a President–a film that images the assassination of President Bush–by listing it as D.O.A.P. in the program guide. The exact nature of the film was not revealed until a few days before the fest began on Sept. 7. The pseudo documentary by British director Gabriel Range presents the scenario that the president was gunned down in Chicago following a speech in October 2007.

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