This post is not directly connected to education, but it says something about the connection between politics and high finance and the selling off of public assets. Think education.
This comes from the website of “In the Public Interest,” an anti-privatization organization.
New Jersey: The plan by Gov. Christie, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and South Jersey Democratic boss George Norcross III to sell off Atlantic City’s public assets and bust union contracts advances to the next step. “Assembly sources pointed to Atlantic City’s beachfront property as the real prize. Joseph Jignoli and Jack Morris, two politically connected developers with ties to Sweeney by way of public-private developer Devco’s work in Cherry Hill and New Brunswick, could be first in line as plots of land on the coast fall into the state’s hands.”
“Sweeney has repeatedly insisted that he favors monetizing the city’s water by handing the authority over to Atlantic County to cut costs. Phillip Norcross, another brother of George Norcross, is a lobbyist with New Jersey American Water, the company most likely to purchase the authority under a state takeover.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
It is what to expect from more privatization. Nepotism, land grabs for a favored few at the expense of many, especially those that are union members, while a corrupt governor orchestrates an economic coup tries to shift political power. It is just another day in New Jersey or many other states.
LikeLike
retired teacher,
Good comment. I enjoy all of your comments. Thanks.
LikeLike
$$$$$. Wonder who paid them off?
LikeLike
And in cities and counties thanks to the preemptive ordinances that ALEC’s baby, the American City County Exchange (ACCE), is bringing into local government–privatizing, union busting, ensuring commercial contractors are regarded as experts on sewer and water, preventing regulations on containers and bags (meaning is stop recycling and being kind to the environment).
LikeLike
I was 18 when Atlantic City opened its first Casino; and the legal drinking age was 18. I was there; it was a craphole then, it is a craphole now. Casinos were to save the elderly and education – they did neither.
Revel was built on tax evasion sanctioned and offered by Chris Christie – it would bring jobs, right? I didn’t, it closed, and it cost us taxpayers plenty.
Casinos were to revitalize Atlantic City – they did not. Excepting the square mile around the boardwalk, Atlantic City is an impoverished wasteland. Its people largely live in poverty. Nothing good came to NJ from the casinos – only good went to the owners who profited greatly.
Now, they are talking about opening a casino in downtown Newark at the abandoned home of the Newark Bears stadium. Do you know what that would do to traffic in an already log-jammed area? Do you know what that will do to crime in an already dangerous area? When night falls on downtown Newark, you don’t want to be there. Two men were beaten up by a girl gang after attending a concert at Prudential Center. People are shot in Newark on a weekly basis, and robbed pretty much daily.
The money in Atlantic City can’t be in the waterfront property. What will they do – develop it and move the residents out? Build a wall around the beach and put up some mansions? I can’t imagine it, but I guess those with the cash can.
LikeLike
Donna,
When i read that NJ could open two casinos in north Jersey and part of their revenue will help Atlantic City, I wonder if the state will then need to open two/four casinos in other cities to bail out the two that are supposed to help AC.
LikeLike
Thank you for speaking about this Diane. What is happening in Atlantic City will strip the public of their democratic rights. It is a direct move to destroy our unions. The fact that NJEA is silent on this matter is disgusting. Their love relationship with with Sweeney is telling and something the members need to speak strongly against.
LikeLike
See also “Atlantic City–Where democracy came to die” Bob Braun’s Ledger May 12, 2016. He notes common aspects of takeover districts, Camden police, proposal to take over Atlantic City.
LikeLike