New Jersey takes control of Atlantic City, reeling from casino bust

Atlantic City was just taken over by New Jersey

(Image credit: John Moore/Getty Images)

published 10 November 2016

On Wednesday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's (R) administration took control of Atlantic City, approving a five-year takeover to prevent the city, $500 million in debt, from declaring bankruptcy. Atlantic City and its mayor, Donald Guardian (R), had submitted a financial plan to the state government last week, but the state said it was insufficient to right the seaside town's finances. Under state control, the New Jersey Local Finance Board will have the power to overrule the City Council, hire and fire municipal workers, break union contracts, and sell off assets, including the defunct airport and the city's prized water utility.

"It's an incredible responsibility, one that I've lost sleep over the last few weeks," said Timothy Cunningham, head of the finance board. "I'm sure I'm going to lose sleep tonight." Steve Young, a community activist, wasn't sympathetic. "This is an example of what this country could turn out to be under Chris Christie and President-elect Donald Trump, taking away our rights and sovereignty," he told The Associated Press. "Who do we talk to as residents? What will government look like with the state of New Jersey overpowering the residents? We are headed for some bad times, and your city could be next."

Atlantic City, with about 39,000 residents, has been drained of revenue by a sharp decline in the city's casino business, thanks in part to legalized gambling in neighboring Pennsylvania and other nearby states. Five of Atlantic City's 12 casino's have closed since 2014, including the Trump Plaza and Trump Taj Mahal, and the income to casinos dropped to $2.56 billion last year from $5.2 billion in 2006. At the same time, the city's value has dropped to $6 billion from $21 billion, says Marc Pfeiffer at Rutgers University. "The city's not dead," he said. "They haven't been able to get their expenses under control to live within their circumstances." Christie is widely expected to join the Trump administration.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.