The new Atlantic City tourism district has been controversial since its first mention. People worried that the government was getting bigger. Some worried about jurisdictional problems. Those in the city government worried about losing power. Some wondered if it would be a waste of money. Now, however, it has the support of one of the most powerful men in all of New Jersey.

No, I’m not talking about Governor Chris Christie. He was already a supporter of the district. It now has the public support of Bob McDevitt, who is the head of the largest labor union in Atlantic City. McDevitt’s Unite-HERE Local 54 is a labor union for those in the casino industry, including those who clean the rooms, serve food and drinks and more. McDevitt has considerable influence in the city and in the entire state due to his influence over union members.

He is now using that influence, urging all of the union members to support the new tourism district. That is support of over 10,000 Atlantic City workers. As members of the city government continue to fight the state over the issue, that support could mean a lot.

Lorenzo Langford, the mayor of Atlantic City, has publicly bashed the plan. Along with members of the city council, he has called it an encroachment on the city’s power by the state. The new tourism district will be supervised by the new Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which is a state agency. Langford has called the district an infringement on the rights of the city’s voters and the local politicians.

McDevitt is now pressuring Langford and the rest of the city council to stop fighting the tourism district. He is calling on them to “shelve their personal feelings with the issue and to work in a productive and cooperative manner with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in this effort.” He believes that it is what’s best to improve the city and turn it into a safer, cleaner and more enticing tourism location.

Tags: Atlantic Cirty casinos, Chris Christie, New Jersey gambling