Casino Money
In case you haven’t already read it, check out Christian Hetrick’s Press of Atlantic City piece on how everyone’s favorite Casino Reinvestment Development Authority has spent more than $1 billion in casino taxes and fees, sending a lot of that money back to the casinos themselves in recent years. What’s also amazing is that, while CRDA was established in 1984, it was never once audited* – until last year, as Route 40 first reported. (*A spokeswoman for CRDA said the authority’s accountants annually audit its financial statements and the audit that began last year was the first by the state’s auditor.)
Pinelands
NJ Spotlight reports that a gas pipeline that would run through South Jersey’s Pinelands is once again on hold, after the Pinelands Preservation Alliance asked a state appeals court to block the Pinelands Commission from ruling on whether the pipeline complies with state policy and administrative rules. The Pinelands Commission is holding a Special Meeting via conference call on Monday to discuss their next steps in the court battle. The pipeline project is being pushed – and funded – by a consortium including South Jersey Industries, which says it will bring cheaper gas to our area.
Howler
The Route 40 Howler is back – you may remember the Howler from this piece – this time the howl is about the bizarre revolving door between Atlantic City and the state’s Takeover Posse led by Jeffrey Chiesa (although – fun fact – apparently Chiesa is rarely seen in these parts, preferring instead to charge his $400 an hour from afar, so as not to get his hands too dirty?)
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The rest of the day’s stories include an update on traffic on Shore Road, a nor’easter headed our way on Sunday afternoon, and an amazing interactive map looking at where the working poor in New Jersey couldn’t afford basic necessities in 2014 (no surprises – Atlantic County municipalities feature prominently).
See below for the rest of the day’s headlines:
Police Take Down Heroin Manufacturing Mill In South Jersey: Prosecutor–A Williamstown man has been charged with running a heroin manufacturing facility out of his home. West Deptford, NJ Patch
When an Anchor Store Leaves South Jersey, What’s Next?–The Pleasantville Center on the Black Horse, anchored by Kmart and the Asia Supermarket, is bustling daily. But with the loss of Kmart, Mayor Jesse Tweedle said finding the right tenant to fill the location will be the key to shopping center’s success. Press of Atlantic City
Is There REALLY a Difference Between a Sub and a Hoagie?–Yup - this again. After getting into a heated discussion with one of his co-workers, Dennis Malloy learned that there is more to the sub or hoagie debate than North and South Jersey. New Jersey 101.5 – Proud to be New Jersey – New Jersey News Radio
Gubernatorial Candidates Begin Attacks–The race for New Jersey governor is heating up with candidates from both political parties taking shots at their rivals. NJTV News
Report: $253,770 is the Average Cost to Raise a Child in NJ–According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2015 Expenditures on Children by Families report, it costs New Jerseyans an average of $253,770 to raise a child. NJTV News
To clarify, CRDA is undergoing our annual financial audit. The “first time” audit is an Office of Legislative Services audit of our operations (as many other state agencies and authorities have done – but this is the first time for CRDA). There is no such “spending” audit – a term we are not familiar with.