A proposal to put a question on November's ballot asking New Jersey voters to approve expanding casino gambling to the northern part of the state took another step forward Monday
TRENTON -- A proposal to put a question on November's ballot asking New Jersey voters to approve expanding casino gambling to the northern part of the state took another step forward Monday, though some critics said the plan is missing key details.
The state Assembly's judiciary committee voted 6-2 to approve the resolution, which would ask voters whether to amend the state constitution to allow two casinos in north Jersey.
Currently, the constitution allows casino gambling only in Atlantic City, where in recent years four casinos have closed and tax revenue from casinos has been cut in half amid increasing competition from neighboring states.
The state Senate budget committee approved the proposal last month. Now, both the full Senate and Assembly will consider the proposal. Two-thirds of each chamber need to approve it for it to reach the Nov. 8 ballot.
But some opponents of the plan said voters should have more information before deciding, including how much the tax rate for the casinos will be. That, they say, will help estimate how much money will be sent to help redevelopment in Atlantic City.
North Jersey casino plan marches forward despite outcry
Under the proposal, the Jersey Shore resort town would receive up to $200 million annually in taxes from the new casinos to help offset the losses it is likely to incur from north Jersey gambling.
Sponsors have said the tax rate, as well as where the casinos will be located, will be decided in later legislation.
But Assemblyman A. Chris Brown (R-Atlantic) said voters deserve to know now.
"Wouldn't you want to know how much money is coming back to the state?" Brown asked Monday. "If you were running a business, before you opened another franchise and competed against yourself, these are some very basic questions that you would want to know."
One of the measure's key sponsors, Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Essex), agreed.
"When you go to the public and try to sell the referendum, you have to have this in place," Caputo said. "Otherwise, you're not in a very strong position."
Casinos in Atlantic City pay a tax rate of about 9.25 percent. Sponsors have said the new casinos might pay more.
Brown has warned the plan would "kill Atlantic City," causing more casinos there to close. Proponents have said the new casinos will bring more jobs and revenue to the state, keep New Jersey competitive in the northeast gaming market, and give Atlantic City more funds to reinvent itself.
The new casinos' locations have not been specified, either -- though the measure says they must be in two different counties, at least 72 miles from Atlantic City.
That includes New Brunswick, but excludes race tracks in Oceanport and Freehold and large Middlesex County towns like Edison and Woodbridge.
But at least two casinos have been proposed: one at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford and another in Jersey City.
Gordon MacInnes, president of the liberal think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective, said the proposal "feels like one of those bills destined for swift, uncritical and incomplete review."
There is now a 20-day waiting period before the proposal can be heard in the Senate and Assembly.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.