News from

John Amodeo and Vince Polistina

New Jersey General Assembly, District 2

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

Contact:  John Amodeo or Vince Polistina at 609-677-8266

September 8, 2009      

 

AMODEO AND POLISTINA OFFER TO HOST NEXT HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEETING AT LOCAL SENIOR CENTER

 

NORTHFIELD – Assemblymen John Amodeo and Vince Polistina today offered to host the next meeting of the Governor’s Commission on the Horse Racing Industry at a senior center in Atlantic County. 

            “If the commission intends to be thorough in its research, then the members ought to see firsthand what New Jersey’s seniors risk losing if the commission decides to put slot machines at horse tracks,”  said Amodeo. 

            “The commission has approached its job wearing blinders, and we think they need to have a broader perspective,”  said Polistina.  “We want to revive horse racing in this state, but not at the expense of Atlantic City’s casinos.”

            The assemblymen’s offer comes a day before the commission is set to meet at the Cook Campus Center, where the commission will hear a report from the Rutgers Equine Science Center.   

            “Tomorrow, the commission is going to hear more details from the Equine Center’s study, which paints a ‘rosy scenario’ how slot machines will save the horse racing industry,”  said Amodeo.  “But the Equine Center’s study has a major flaw – it studied how slots helped horse racing in states and a Canadian province which did not already have any exiting form of casino gaming.”

            “Casino gaming in Atlantic City has existed in this state for over 30 years, and I am willing to bet that every family in this state has benefitted from at least one of the many senior and disabled programs or even the economic development projects funded through casino proceeds,”  said Polistina.  “The commission should meet down here, so we can talk about PAAD, Meals on Wheels, Safe Housing and Escorted Transportation, Adult Protective Care, Respite Care, and Congregate Housing. 

“The members of the commission should not believe their solution to save the horse racing industry will happen in a vacuum.  The wrong recommendation from the commission could have serious consequences,”  said Polistina.