Atlantic City Rescue Plan

New Jersey lawmakers recently passed a package of bills to boost business in Atlantic City but local officials don’t appear so keen on the rescue plan.

The package, which would establish a state-administered tourism district around the city’s 11 casinos and boardwalk, reportedly aims to help the resort town cope with increased competition from casinos in other states.

According to a report released by Jersey’s Casino Control Commission, revenues at Atlantic City casinos were down nearly 10 percent in 2010, and in the past four years, the city’s lost nearly one-third of its business.

“This is an effort to try something new to ensure a friendly, clean and safe casino district that will feature smart redevelopment and in and of itself promote Atlantic City and its offerings,” Deputy Assembly Speaker John Burzichell said.

However, Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford is reportedly considering suing the state over the boundaries of the tourism district outlined in a last-minute amendment to the legislation.

“Based on what I’m hearing and what I’ve heard, it represents a mixed bag,” Langford told the Press of Atlantic City. “I didn’t get all that I wanted. I got half of a loaf.”

Other parts of the package include repealing numerous state regulations for casinos, subsidies for the state’s horseracing industry and a new tax on Internet gambling.

The package still needs the approval of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.