Trenton’s promise to save the New Jersey equine industry with the expansion of casino gaming into North Jersey is just a ploy to get votes.
Oceanport is home to one of the most beautiful racetracks in all of America. It’s no secret that Monmouth Park has been struggling to stay afloat, and proponents for gaming expansion have said that new casinos would bring revenues that would “save the equine industry.” But they have also promised revenues will “save Atlantic City,” and bail out underfunded social programs, and provide property tax relief. The reality is new casinos would kill the industry in Atlantic City, and tax revenues could not possibly cover all the promises Trenton is making.
For the horse racing industry – or more specifically, the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association that operates Monmouth Park – the estimated revenue sharing would be around $2 to $3 million, the impact of which would be negligible. Indeed, it is estimated that Monmouth Park needs anywhere from 30 to 60 million dollars annually to become competitive with out of state racetracks. When you compare the thinly dispersed revenues being offered by Trenton from the would-be-casinos to the negative economic impact on the whole of South Jersey, Monmouth Park loses either way. Monmouth Park is the shining jewel of thoroughbred racing on the Eastern seaboard and, as a resident and elected official of Oceanport, I can’t sit idly by and allow Trenton to drive it into the ground with poorly crafted legislation that is purposely designed to confuse the electorate.
The only people who stand to benefit from the expansion proposal are a handful of special interest groups in North Jersey. The cost to the entire state would be substantial, and would do little to help establishments like Monmouth Park. Truth be told, it will do absolutely nothing for places like Monmouth Park except provide cover for politicians in Trenton who will say that they tried to save horseracing when, in fact, they knew what they were providing was entirely inadequate.
Other states have been smart and innovative about making their racetracks self-sustaining by adding slot machines and casinos at their tracks, but Trenton politicians have continued to stick their heads in the sand where Monmouth Park is concerned. Now they want to help us out? Voters need to be weary wary of the promises elected officials are making – two casinos cannot bail out decades of poor state budgetary management.
This referendum has been cryptic, offering few details while simultaneously being positioned by politicians as the answer to any group’s problem as long as they just vote for it. Obama once told us, “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.” How did that work out? Well, Trenton is telling now us, “If you like your racetrack, you can keep your racetrack.” They don’t think we can see through the pea soup fog in which they have shrouded this legislation. The only thing transparent in this deal is the political pandering taking place. What our friends in Trenton don’t understand is that we’re sick and tired of being told “this is as good as it is going to get, so you better take it.” We want something better. We deserve something better. And by voting “NO” to Question One, we will get something better.
Unfortunately, Trenton politicians cannot be trusted, and these promises are not what Monmouth Park or anyone in South Jersey needs. This is why I stand with Oceanport Mayor Jay Coffey and all my colleagues on the Oceanport Council and Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone in steadfast and resolute opposition to Question One.
Joseph Irace
Oceanport Council President