Two Republican candidates running for governor support North Jersey casinos

During a forum run by the Meadowlands Regional Chamber at the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli said he was among many who had a difficult choice to make in terms of the statewide ballot question last November on whether to approve two North Jersey casinos.

“I support casinos in North Jersey,” said. “Anyone north of [Routes] 78 or 80 ain’t going to Atlantic City anyway, so what’s the problem with having North Jersey casinos?”, he claimed.

However, the candidate assured that the propose bill was not clear. "It didn’t say [exactly] where the casinos would go, or what the tax rate would be.”

Steve Rogers, another Republican candidate for Governor, also appeared at the event and explained his point of view about the current law draft.

“The problem [with the ballot question] was that it wasn’t marketed the right way,” said Rogers, who emphasized that he believes Ciattarelli would be a wise choice for Governor as well. “All we heard was how casinos will draw crime and tax our highways and infrastructure.”

“I support the idea of a world-class casino right here in the Meadowlands,” Rogers added. “This is the place that would draw not millions, but billions of dollars in revenue.”