Chamber President Pens Letter to Atlantic City: Where’s The Money

We have learned and confirmed and have obtained a copy of a letter writer by Michael Chait to Anthony Swan.

Chait is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce.

Swan is the Business Administrator for the City of Atlantic City.

Chait has been an outstanding chamber of commerce leader, who objectively showers the city with praise when warranted … but, he is also appropriate and fearless when comes time to constructively criticize the City of Atlantic City.

Chait wants answers to what is currently happening with the $ 2.00 per-room (casino hotel properties), per-night tax.

This results in millions of dollars that has been generated and sent to the state of New Jersey. The state of New Jersey has dedicated the funds from this tax for Atlantic City needs.

Chait writes:

“On behalf of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, I am writing to respectfully request your assistance in shedding light on the spending, allocation, and decision making process for the revenues collected as a result of P.L. 2021 c.497 (A6257/S4311).”

“P.L. 2021 c.497 (A6257/S4311) directs that a $2 per night fee is applied on every casino hotel room, to be collected by the state and passed along to the City of Atlantic City to be solely and exclusively to fund appropriations for public safety services. Public safety services is defined as the hiring, retention, and training of and equipment for employees of the police and fire departments, and capital improvements benefiting the police and fire departments. As per the New Jersey Department of Treasury, the $2 surcharge was effective on March 1, 2022.”

This room tax has generated more than $ 8.6 million for all of 2022, through March 31, 2023.

In his letter to the City of Atlantic City, Chait poses very fair questions that he would like answered.

Below, is Chait’s entire letter as follows:

Harry Hurley