A.C. mayor cancels session with N.J. lawmakers

TRENTON - Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian canceled plans to testify before a legislative panel here Thursday.

He was expected to address the challenges facing the gaming industry and his city, which has experienced four casino closings and thousands of job losses recently.

Chris Filiciello, Guardian's chief of staff, said the mayor did not appear because of personal reasons. He plans to reschedule at a time to be decided later.

Gov. Christie has formed a commission to determine how to boost the flagging resort town's fortunes, and legislators have proposed allowing casinos to make payments in lieu of taxes to stabilize the city's finances.

State leaders are considering installing an emergency manager in Atlantic City who would have the authority to cancel labor contracts, sell off assets, and slash spending without approval from Guardian or the City Council. Guardian has resisted the idea.