Route 40 (https://rtforty.com/page/6/)
David Danzis at the Press reports the city cut the amount it pays in legal services by $500,000 for the upcoming year, which is something we’d been meaning to follow up on since Council President Marty Small mentioned it in a council meeting a few months back. They’ve also not approved a change order for legal services since 2016, according to Small.
Healthcare
Colt Shaw of the Press of AC reports on cuts to Atlantic City’s healthcare department that have left the city with a fraction of its previous support for services such as cancer screenings and immunizations. Funnily enough, over the period of time the cuts were being implemented, emergency-room visits in Atlantic City increased, Shaw found. Back Bay Flooding
New Jersey’s coastal communities could see $1.6 billion a year in damages from back bay flooding if action isn’t taken soon, according to last week’s Army Corps of Engineers report written up here by the Inquirer. The engineers believe flood gates could be possible in some inlets (including Absecon and Great Egg Harbor), Avalon Zoppo reports. The Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comment on the report (full version here).
David Danzis at the Press of AC reports on Carl Icahn, who has effectively taken control of Caesars Entertainment Corp. after getting three new directors on the board–maybe four, depending on how the CEO search works out.
Tax Credit Money
Politico has a fun story about the sale of economic opportunity tax credits that the EDA likes to give out, which jumped from $20 million in 2013 to $200 million in 2017. (paywall)
The idea is that the state gives you, Mister innovate-y jobs-create-y person, a “credit” for one dozen dollars off your next tax bill in exchange for blessing us with your business. But lets say you’re a small business that pays less than a dozen dollars a year in taxes (like Amazon, for instance). You can sell your credits today on the open market, usually for 90% of the face value. “Unfortunately, during our debate about the tax credits, the whole idea of selling them is usually deep in the background.
A new pizza-and-cocktail-bar project will get state funds to refurbish a storefront on the beach block of Tennessee Avenue, Mayor Frank Gilliam said in a press release. The restaurant, Rhythm & Spirits, will open this summer and sit between Hayday Coffee and MADE chocolate bar and it is the latest project by developer Mark Callazzo.
We heard this morning that Marilyn Schmidt died late last night. She bought the Chatsworth General Store and almost certainly saved it from ruin, as part of a long and interesting life. She was a hoot to hang out with. We’ll miss her.
Chris Franklin at NJ.com reports on a Salem County election worker who alleged, in a lawsuit, she was told to keep her mouth shut after she discovered uncounted provisional ballots from a 2016 primary election.
Amanda Auble has a story on the fire house on California Avenue, which has been closed due to mold, which is gross. John Varallo, the new union head, says realistically two stations should be closed. “It’s the lack of the capital improvement and the lack of political will to fix these problems before they balloon, and now we’re here with a station closed.”
The Atlantic City Police Department on Tuesday will promote Sgt. Wilbur Santiago to Lieutenant, marking the first time in the department’s history that a Latino has held this rank.
Sam Sutton at Politico reported on a bill that passed the state senate that makes it easier for insurance brokers to collect fun benefits when they sell insurance plans, a “clear victory for the state’s insurance industry,” which includes George Norcross and his company that also gets lots of money from the EDA. Steve Sweeney was the primary sponsor.
Ice cream and donut store Drip ‘n’ Scoop is hoping to open this summer, after work was held up over the fall and winter, according to one of the owners.
Friends of the Forsythe is looking for three new board members, according to this public announcement.
According to the document, they get 250,000 visitors per year and are particularly interested in attracting candidates with experience in finance, etc.
The Politico Playbook has great rundowns on the state of play around the marijuana-legalization and housing-assistance bills in the state legislature.
Marijuana legalization recently polled 2-1 in-favor among New Jerseyans, but elected officials, who don’t really work for you, are naturally cautious. To pass, they need five yes votes from a group of seven Dems.
Carl Icahn disclosed in an SEC filing he holds a 9.8% stake in Caesars Entertainment and the company should think about selling, which could be good for Atlantic City casino workers but honestly who knows with these people. Icahn’s track record in AC is pretty bleak.
Everyone reported over the weekend the big news from the Superior Court of NJ Appellate Division who ruled that CRDA can’t take Charlie Birnbaum’s house after five years of trying to do so.
In their ruling, which you can read here, the judges gave a little capsule history of this long-running and very worthwhile dispute that included an enlightening nugget.