FAA Tech Center Budget In Play
Thousands of federal employees and contractors at the Tech Center are waiting for budget details that could affect the future of Atlantic County’s great non-gaming employment hope. Amy Rosenberg of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Rep. Frank LoBiondo is also keenly aware of potential funding issues coming up at the center, which could also see changes if a Trump plan to privatize air-traffic control comes into effect. Read more on what’s at stake here.
Linwood Teacher Case
Linwood municipal court will hear a case against Kimberly Peschi, 40, a teacher at Bell Haven School, who is accused of kicking a student’s chair out from under him, which caused him to hit his head on the ground. There were witnesses to the incident, which was also captured on the school’s camera system, Lynda Cohen of Breaking AC reports here, adding that the parents and Board of Education members have all seen the video.
CRDA Layoffs
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, locally infamous for its splashy spending on ill-fated projects (laser lighthouse, uber alles?), has cut 15 percent of its workforce, Nick Huba reports for The Press of Atlantic City. No word yet on whose job has been cut – but it is notable that the cuts are to the workforce, not the payroll. CRDA’s payroll was $5.7 million in 2015 but, like many state agencies, almost half the staff earn less than $40,000 (according to a 2016 OPRA request for payroll data). Some are employed as seasonal staff without benefits.
Op-Ed
We published a new op-ed last night by Geoff Rosenberger, who gives his thoughts on moving into Atlantic City and how the city could make itself more welcoming. Read here.
Click here to subscribe to the Route 40 Roundup by email.
The rest of the day’s news includes proposed budget cuts that would reduce legal aid, details on the upcoming Atlantic County Republican convention, and Millville Police saysa crowd of 100 teenagers threw food at officers. All that and more below:
A Warming Trend Begins Friday, but Peaks on Saturday–Through the first 23 days of the month, March has been as cold as December and January, while February stands alone as the warmest of the last four months. Saturday, however, will be warm - briefly - before dropping back to seasonable temperatures next week. Press of Atlantic City
Will N.J. GOP Lance, LoBiondo, Smith Pay for Bucking Trump on Health Care?–President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Thursday ahead of a House vote on the still-being-revised American Health Care Act, the Republican replacement for the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. “You were given many lies with #Obamacare!” Trump wrote at one point. “Go with our plan! Call your Rep & let them know you're behind #AHCA.” North Jersey
LoBiondo to Miss Ocean City Chamber Meeting Due to Healthcare Vote–US Rep Frank LoBiondo will not be speaking at the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce meeting Friday as previously announced, his chief of staff confirmed Thursday. Spokesman Jason Galanes said that LoBiondo, R-2nd, will stay in Washington, DC due to a delayed vote on a new federal health care bill to replace the Affordable Care Act. Press of Atlantic City
Atlantic County Republicans to Host Convention on Saturday–Atlantic County Republicans will gather Saturday at Linwood Country Club for a much smaller, and less controversial, convention than the Democrats hosted last week. The Republicans will have no local contested races. Press of Atlantic City
South Jersey Congressman Pleased Proposed Budget Does Not Include Coast Guard Cuts–A congressman representing portions of South Jersey says he's pleased that the first budget outline issued by the Trump administration does not include cuts to the U.S. Coast Guard and port security. Rep Frank LoBiondo (R-02), a senior member of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Security Subcommittee, in a release called the cuts, reported earlier this month prior to the administration's official budget release, "misguided." Newsworks.org
Free NARCAN Training Offered to Salem County Residents–The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services will offer a free community training class on April 13th on the use of NARCAN to save a life from a drug overdose. The program is funded through the Department's Office of Drug and Alcohol Services. www.snjtoday.com
Man Arrested in Stabbing at Tropicana–An Atlantic City man has been arrested in a stabbing at a casino over the weekend. Police were called to the Tropicana Hotel and Casino just after 4 am Sunday for a reported stabbing. BreakingAC
Three Charged in Atlantic City Shooting that Wounded Two–The Atlantic City Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit concluded a three week long investigation into the shooting of two males that occurred on March 1, 2017. As a result, three suspects have been arrested and one handgun recovered. BreakingAC
Death Investigation in Atlantic City–Atlantic City police are investigating a death on Albion Avenue. Police were on the scene at about 5 pm Thursday. BreakingAC