Top state Democrats and union leaders on Friday were confident that they would be able to bring casino gambling to north Jersey.
RUTHERFORD -- Despite New Jersey residents being almost evenly split on whether to bring casino gambling to the northern part of the state, top state Democrats, county officials and union leaders said at a news conference Friday they were confident they'd make it happen.
And some who spoke at the conference -- held in front of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce -- weren't afraid to call out officials who haven't quite made up their minds about the idea, like Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democrat.
"There some politicians from across the river -- I won't mention their name -- with delusions of grandeur who were in favor of casinos in north Jersey, and then flip-flopped on it," said Bill Mullen, president of the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council.
Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill responded to the comment in an email Friday afternoon and said, "Once the state Senate passes the enabling legislation which outlines the details of casinos in North Jersey, then we can make an informed decision."
She said states are expected to provide those details to the public -- like enabling legislation, tax rates, location parameters and impact -- "prior to asking the public to vote."
"For some reason, Trenton has not done this," she said.
Voters will decide at the ballot box in November whether to amend the state constitution to allow two casinos in North Jersey. Atlantic City is currently the only area in the state where casino gambling is allowed.
State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) said at the news conference that maintaining the public's trust through a transparent process would be a vital component in the effort.
However, Morrill questioned the transparency by those in Trenton.
"Why are the details secret, and how can anyone make an informed decision without this crucial information being passed in Trenton?" said Morrill in the email.
Mark Magyar, director of policy and communications for New Jersey Senate Democrats, said however that it was "standard practice that you pass a constitutional amendment and then the legislature develops the enabling legislation, implementing what the people have approved through the constitutional amendment."
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) maintained a determined message before the crowd standing in the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce parking lot. He said bringing casinos gambling to the area was "the right thing to do for the whole state."
"This gives us an opportunity to create thousands and thousands of construction jobs in the northern part of the state of New Jersey," Sweeney said. "But guess what; it gives us the ability to create thousands and thousands of jobs in the southern part of the state and helps us to rebuild Atlantic City, and gives Atlantic City the opportunity to be the destination we want it to be."
Sarlo said, however, that the initiative would not be without opposition.
"There will be those who oppose it and who will spend a lot of money to oppose it," he said.
He noted that a recent poll showed the public was "right down the middle."
But, he added, "I think that's a good sign."
Sarlo, in a statement issued at the conference, said new casinos would "benefit the state's economy by reviving a gaming sector that is a key part of the tourism industry." He also said it would "generate an estimated $4 billion in economic activity and create 10,000 to 20,000 construction and permanent jobs in North Jersey alone and an additional $3 billion and thousands of jobs in the Atlantic City region."
State Sen. Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) and state Sen. Bob Gordon (D-Bergen) along with Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco also spoke at the event and gave their support.
"Jimmy, we're going to get you (a casino) right here," Sarlo said to Tedesco, who was standing beside him.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.