- A bill has been introduced with the intention to lower the 2022 PILOT payment for casinos.
- The bill is being challenged by many people including state Senator Vince Polistina
TRENTON, N.J. – A bill meant to drop the 2022 PILOT payment to $110 million, and totally remove sports and online gaming numbers from casino payments instead of taxes calculations.
The Senate Committee’s Vote On The Bill
The bill in question, S4007, was introduced in May and is currently sponsored by Steve Sweeny, the New Jersey Senate President.
The results of the Senate Committee who voted on the bill Monday show a favorable reception of the bill.
- Yes {3}
- No {2}
- Not Voting {0}
- Abstains {0}
The bill was then referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee where it now awaits further deliberation.
Concerns Over The Bill
Some officials from Atlantic County are worried that the bill isn’t in the best interest of the New Jersey taxpayers.
“We will obviously end up back in court,” said Dennis Levinson, an Atlantic County Executive. “I’m going to fight for the taxpayer.”
The bill’s text claims that the purpose of the changes are to assist casinos and gambling establishments bounce back from the financial strain of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“The Legislature further declares that it is in the best interests of the casino gaming industry to revise the calculation of the PILOT payment each casino is required to pay under the “Casino Property Tax Stabilization Act,” P.L.2016, c.5 (C.52:27BBBB-18 et seq.) in order to lessen the impact of these payments on the casino’s finances during and after the public health emergency declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the bill text.
However, not everyone is convinced that this is indeed the intention of the bill.
“Once again, the casino industry interests are being placed before those of the hard-working middle class families and retirees of Atlantic County,” said Vince Polistina, a New Jersey Senator. “A last-minute push to try and sneak this bill in is exactly what was attempted in May and is a prime example of the type of legislators the voters rejected on Nov. 2.”
S4007 has not been passed yet, and will be discussed by the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee during their next hearing.