Liberty and Prosperity, a local taxpayers group, along with Atlantic County government, filed lawsuits and fought for years to stop tax breaks for Atlantic City casinos.
Seth Grossman of Liberty and Prosperity pointed to the state constitution that requires all real estate taxes be assessed and paid at the same rate.
A trial judge originally ruled in favor of Liberty and Prosperity and Atlantic County in August of 2022. However, the Appellate Division just reversed that decision on Monday, Oct 21, 2024.
Tax breaks continue for Atlantic City’s nine casino properties. This raises real estate taxes for all other properties in the county.
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said the county is owed more than $14 million. The people of Atlantic County are getting ripped off. Casinos are an economic boon to the entire state. Why should Atlantic County taxpayers single-handedly be responsible to pay the tax break for casinos?’
Liberty and Prosperity: In 2010, Governor Christie had the state take control of the city’s finances by appointing a monitor. Atlantic City was mandated by state law to balance its budget. It had to raise taxes, cut expenses, or do a combination of both. However, under Governor Christie’s supervision, Atlantic City did neither. It instead ran illegal deficits for six years and illegally borrowed more than $400 million.
In 2022, the casinos lobbied and got changes in the plan to exempt income from sports betting and internet gambling from their payments ‘in lieu of’ local real estate taxes.
Read more at Liberty and Prosperity.
