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New Jersey Casino Tax Fight Adds a Twist20 June 2003TRENTON, New Jersey – As reported by the Trenton Inquirer: “Several months before the casino industry began sparring with Democratic legislators from South Jersey over proposed casino taxes, the brother of Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III offered to represent the industry on legislative issues for an annual fee of $300,000. “But a deal between the Casino Association of New Jersey and Philip A. Norcross, with the law firm of Parker McCay & Criscuolo, was not to be. “The firm said yesterday that it was because a client - it would not specify who - had objected. “The association said the fit just wasn't right. “…Yesterday, the tension was ratcheted up when the Assembly Budget Committee approved a $90 million tax proposal that calls for a new levy of about 25 percent on casinos' net profits. The proposal now faces a battle in the Senate Budget Committee and possibly the full Senate and Assembly. “The vote came after a morning meeting between representatives of the casino association and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D., Camden), who chairs the committee and is aligned with George Norcross. “…George Norcross has said he had nothing to do with negotiations on the proposed casino tax. “The letter by Philip Norcross to the casino association was written in late February. In it, he wrote that his firm could represent the association on `legislative and state administrative issues’ for $25,000 a month in a contract that would last a year…” |