TRENTON — Today’s weekly politics chat will focus on two significant actions Gov. Chris Christie took last week: allowing limited sports betting at race tracks and casinos, and signing legislation that updates the law around alimony.
Although some argue the changes don’t get far enough because most of the provisions apply prospectively, one provision that applies to everyone allows the alimony-payer to go to court to discontinue payments after retirement, according to the legislation Christie signed Wednesday.
For marriages that end in divorce after the law’ enactment, one change allows people who lose their jobs can apply to reduce payments if they have been out of work for three months. Most judges would not consider lowering payments if the former spouse was out of work more than a year.
The big surprise of the week was the Christie administration’s announcement that casinos and horse-racing tracks would be able to offer sports betting.
Seizing on a loophole in a federal ban on sports betting, acting state Attorney General John Hoffman issued a directive to law enforcement Monday telling them that casinos and racetracks are exempt from prosecution under a law authorizing such wagering.
New Jersey has lost repeated attempts in court to challenge federal law that limits sports betting to Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon.
Under the acting attorney general’s directive, bets on any New Jersey college sports teams, regardless of where they play, would not be allowed.
Meet us back here at 11 a.m. when the reporters who covered these stories will discuss them and take your questions. You may post questions in the comment section below or email them directly to slivio@njadvancemedia.com.