ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 61

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 29, 1996

By Assemblyman GUSCIORA

An Assembly Resolution urging the Governor and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to release for purchase to all New Jerseyans any tickets to the NCAA "Final Four" basketball championship games that have been designated for use by public officials.

Whereas, The "Final Four" games of the National Collegiate Athletic Association college basketball championships will be held at the Brendan Byrne Arena on March 30 and April 1, 1996; and

Whereas, Because the NCAA has designated an extremely limited number of tickets for sale in New Jersey, citizens of this State generally cannot purchase tickets to these tremendously popular and prestigious games; and

Whereas, A limited number of tickets will be designated for the use of public officials by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the organization responsible for hosting the games; and

Whereas, It is the sentiment of this House that such a "set-aside" is unfair and creates an unfavorable impression of entitlement and political favoritism; and

Whereas, Citizens of New Jersey, whose tax dollars have been used to help defray the debt service of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, should have an equal and fair opportunity to purchase these tickets; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. This House urges the Governor and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to make an accounting indicating the number of tickets for the 1996 NCAA "Final Four" basketball championship games that will be earmarked for use by public officials.

    2. This House urges the Governor and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to release to the citizens of this State tickets for the 1996 NCAA "Final Four" basketball championship games that will be earmarked for use by public officials.

    3. This House endorses the creation of a lottery whereby citizens of this State will have the opportunity to purchase such tickets.

    4. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk, shall be transmitted to Governor Christine Todd Whitman and to Robert E. Mulcahy, III, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

STATEMENT

    This resolution urges Governor Whitman and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to make available for purchase to the citizens of this State any tickets for the 1996 NCAA "Final Four" basketball championship games that have been set aside for use by public officials. The resolution urges the Governor and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to make an accounting indicating the number of such tickets prior to their release to the public. The resolution endorses the creation of a lottery whereby all citizens of this State would have the chance to enter and win the opportunity to purchase such tickets.

Urges release for purchase by New Jerseyans any tickets for the 1996 NCAA "Final Four" basketball championships that have been designated for use by public officials.