Christie: Pass bills to aid A.C.

NEW JERSEY Gov. Chris Christie wants the state Legislature to approve and send him a package of bills aimed at turning around Atlantic City's struggling fortunes.

A spokesman for the governor told the Associated Press that Christie urges the state Legislature to send him the bills.

But spokesman Kevin Roberts stopped short of saying Christie would sign them.

The cornerstone of the package is a plan to let Atlantic City's eight casinos make payments in lieu of taxes, and redirect certain taxes and fees to help pay down some of the city's debt.

Senate President Steve Sweeney says he has held off putting the package up for a final vote without the governor's explicit support, fearing that sending a mixed message to financial markets would only make things worse.

- Associated Press