Atlantic City Mayor Calls State Takeover Plan a 'Dictatorship'

A plan for the state to take over cash-strapped Atlantic City amounts to a "dictatorship" that would violate the civil rights of city residents, according to Mayor Don Guardian. 

The Republican mayor said a bill being pushed by Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney would usurp all decision-making capabilities from Atlantic City's government and make the mayor's job purely ceremonial.

"I no longer would have any authority to make any decisions over the operation of the city," Guardian told WNYC. "City Council would be stripped of all their financial responsibilities."

Sweeney's proposal gives the state vast control over the gambling resort's finances, including the right to cancel union contracts and sell city assets and land. Gov. Chris Christie has expressed support for a state takeover, saying Atlantic City spends too much money and needs to get its finances in order.

Guardian doesn't disagree with the governor's assessment, and had previously supported a greater degree of state intervention in Atlantic City. He even appeared with the governor and Sweeney at a news conference announcing the state takeover. But Guardian said he changed his mind because he believes the state's current proposal takes too much power away from local officials. He said it could set a dangerous precedent in the state.

"It's a slap in the face to democracy," said Guardian. "If it happens in Atlantic City, it's only a matter of time before it happens to the Patersons and the Newarks and...all the other urban areas in our community."

Guardian said he's trying to line up other state lawmakers to introduce a different financial recovery bill that would represent a true "partnership" between Atlantic City and the state. 

Guardian spoke with WNYC's All Things Considered host Jami Floyd.

With reporting from the Associated Press