LoBiondo & Booker Send Letter to Labor Secretary Advocating for Workers Impacted by Atlantic City Casino Closures

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Jersey members of Congress, led by U.S. Representative Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez in support of the state of New Jersey’s application for a National Emergency Grant (NEG) to assist the thousands of South Jersey residents affected by the recent closures of the Revel, Showboat, and Trump Plaza casinos in Atlantic City.

The letter was joined by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez as well as Reps. Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Jon Runyan (NJ-03), Chris Smith (NJ-04), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Donald Payne Jr (NJ-10), and Rush Holt (NJ-12) urging Secretary Perez to support the Atlantic City Re-Employment Initiative proposal filed by the State of New Jersey which would fund employer-driven training programs and help affected workers learn new skills that are in demand.

The full text of the LoBiondo-Booker led letter is as follows:

The Honorable Thomas Perez

Secretary of Labor

Dear Secretary Perez:

We are writing in strong support of the Atlantic City Re-Employment Initiative, a National Emergency Grant (NEG) proposal filed by the State of New Jersey on behalf of workers affected by the closures of the Revel, Showboat, and Trump Plaza casinos in Atlantic City.

The announcement this summer that three large casinos would close their doors dealt a devastating blow to more than 6,500 hardworking New Jerseyans.  This combined with the closure of the Atlantic Club earlier this year, and the potential for more worker displacement as other casinos and connected businesses threaten mass layoffs, jeopardizes the economy of the entire Atlantic County region.

We are confident that the proposal from the State of New Jersey meets the objectives of the NEG program.  This assistance will provide vital assistance for employer-driven training programs and help affected workers learn new skills that are in demand. We strongly support the plan put forward by the New Jersey Division of Labor and Workforce Development and are confident that, in coordination with the local workforce investment board, this funding will be utilized to increase occupational skills and reemploy these workers.

We urge your urgent and expedited attention to this proposal, as thousands of New Jersey families are in need.  Please do not hesitate to contact is if you require additional information.

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