Sweeney threatens Atlantic City finances takeover bill

Christie’s approach to drug addiction – preferring treatment over incarceration – has been well received in New Jersey and in states like New Hampshire, where opiate addiction and deaths have reached epidemic levels.

Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald said, “It was Chris Christie running for President”. Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto said after the address they’ll continue to push for the proposed ballot question, which must pass the Legislature once more before going to the ballot.

“The state of the union isn’t a call to action, it’s a fantasy wish list by a president who has failed us”, Mr. Christie said.

New Jersey could become the second state to raise the smoking age to 21, as part of a movement that comes amid a sharp increase in electronic cigarette use among young people.

Sweeney and senators Paul Sarlo and Kevin O’Toole said they will jointly introduce the bill Tuesday. “If Atlantic City takes a haircut, everyone should take a haircut”.

Despite thanking Democrats who worked across the aisle and saying his own tenure had been a “victory for a different kind of politics”, Christie also lashed out against a Democratic push to require the state to make its public pension contributions.

The Governor highlighted past bipartisan cooperation and called for increased funding for education and drug treatment programs. He has been meeting with officials from Christie’s office to try to work out a solution. Christie is seeking the Republican Party’s nomination for president, and if he is elected he will have to resign as governor to be sworn in to the White House.

The Statehouse was full of lawmakers, lobbyists and well-wishers for Mr. Christie’s address.

The Republican presidential candidate is delivering his State of the State address on Tuesday and says lawmakers risk driving residents to leave the state otherwise.

“We have always believed in our brand and are excited that the survey results further support the brand’s strength throughout New Jersey”, states Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International.

Christie has used the data to paint a picture of his tenure as a reformer whose policies helped the state recover despite an adversarial Legislature.

Now, after a modest surge in New Hampshire polls, Christie must defend himself from attacks from his Republican rivals for his shifting positions and his record as New Jersey governor.

He’s also switched from wanting to preserve a ban on semiautomatic assault weapons to touting how he’s made it easier in New Jersey to obtain gun permits.

Additionally, no less than two percent of total revenues would also be dedicated to support the equine industry and the economic benefit it brings to the state. New Jersey’s unemployment rate has dropped to 5.3 percent, the lowest level since September 2008. That addresses concerns that someone who doesn’t want a new casino to open in North Jersey that would compete with others in the region could end up winning bids for the new licenses.