Democrats urge Assembly speaker to post Atlantic City bill

TRENTON, N.J. -- Several Democratic state lawmakers want Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto to post a bill that would allow the state to take control of Atlantic City's government.

Twelve Assembly members signed on to a letter that Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald sent to Prieto this weekend. It cites the dangers of not passing the legislation, such as city workers not getting paid as the seaside gambling resort moves closer to bankruptcy.

Prieto opposes the measure because it would allow the state to end collective bargaining agreements. He's called on the Christie administration to negotiate a compromise.

The takeover would strip Atlantic City of most of its power and give the state the right to break contracts, dissolve agencies and sell off city assets and land.

The state Senate has approved the measure.