Christie Uses Veto Pen For Fiscal Responsibility!

Through the use of his veto pen, Governor Christie is continuing to take the lead in responsibly managing state government while making the difficult choices to prioritize and fund essential services that New Jerseyans rely on. 

·         Vetoing Over $1 Billion In Irresponsible And Ineffective Tax Increases. Governor Christie continued to build on his record of protecting New Jersey taxpayers by vetoing over $1 billion in counterproductive tax increases that will only serve to drive families and businesses out of the state.

·         Protecting Funding For Essential Services Despite Fiscal Challenges.  Governor Christie took action to protect a host of critical and essential services including funding for schools, hospitals, universities, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and safety net programs.  

·         Protecting Critical Services And Investments While Paying Today’s Bills. The Christie Administration is making a $681 million payment to New Jersey’s pension funds that will cover the costs of benefits earned by active employees during the year but will not address the unfunded liability caused by decades of mismanagement by past administrations and legislatures.

Making A Pension Payment That Addresses Today’s Bills:

Governor Christie made the difficult but responsible choice to make a pension payment of $681 million in fiscal year 2015 which pays the costs of benefits earned by active employees – those currently working for the State of New Jersey – while maintaining programs and services New Jerseyans rely on.

This payment also keeps Governor Christie’s promise to retirees. State of New Jersey retirees will not see any impact to the benefits they are currently receiving.

Governor Christie Has Contributed More To The Pension System Than Any Other Governor In New Jersey History.

Governor	Total Pension Contributions
Whitman	$963.9 Million
DiFrancesco	$563,000
McGreevey	$101.4 Million
Codey	$165 Million
Corzine	$2.17 Billion
Christie	$2.89 Billion

While this payment deals with this year’s pension costs, it does not pay down the debt – the unfunded liability – that has piled up over the past decades. However, Governor Christie is committed to returning to a regular pension payment schedule that the State can afford.

As Governor Christie has been making clear all year, unless New Jersey’s leaders make the choice to go further with reforms; pension, benefits and debt costs will overwhelm the State budget, monopolize resources, and threaten the investments and progress New Jersey has made over the past four years.

Protecting Funding For Essential Services Despite Fiscal Challenges:

New Jersey’s Schools, Our Students, and Our Higher Education Institutions

·         Support For New Jersey’s Schools. Total direct State aid to schools will be over $12.9 billion. For the fourth year in a row, Governor Christie is setting a historic high for State spending for education.

·         Resources for Higher Education Institutions and Students.  Under the Governor’s budget, total State support is $2.32 billion, funding for 22,675 educators at New Jersey’s college and universities and supporting funding for student assistance.

·         Funding For Tuition Aid Grants. After increasing funding by nearly $47 million in the last two years for Tuition Aid Grants (TAG), the fiscal year 2015 budget continues to expand resources for the neediest students with an additional $14 million to support a 2% across the board increase in award amounts for TAG recipients.

Investing in New Jersey’s Competitiveness While Fighting for Tax Relief

·         Job-Creating Business Tax Cuts. The fiscal year 2015 continues to phase-in business tax relief which was passed in 2010 for a cumulative total of more than $1.6 billion in the fifth year of phase in for these bipartisan, job-creating business tax cuts to help businesses remain and grow in New Jersey. Since Governor Christie took office, New Jersey has added over 129,200 private-sector jobs, and the state has experienced positive overall job growth every year the Governor has been in office.

·         Direct Property Tax Relief for New Jersey Families.  Governor Christie is protecting relief to property taxpayers with an average Homestead Benefit of $516 for seniors and disabled homeowners with incomes up to $150,000, and an average benefit of $402 for all other homeowners with incomes up to $75,000.

Protecting Our State’s Most Vulnerable and Innovating for Higher Quality Care

·         Reclaiming Lives by Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment with Employment Services.  Going even further with the Governor’s commitment to help nonviolent offenders reclaim their lives through addiction treatment, the Christie Administration is devoting $1 million to support the integration of substance abuse treatment with employment services.  Governor Christie further acts on his commitment by increasing funding by the $4.5 million necessary to continue the expansion of drug court treatment services.

·         Reforming Charity Care Funding to Align With Need.  The Christie Administration continues to transition to a new formula for the distribution of Charity Care that focuses on predictability, equitability, transparency and accountability.  Hospitals will receive $650 million in Charity Care payments in fiscal year 2015. 

·         Investing in Managed Community-Based Care to Give Seniors Excellent Care Options.  The Governor’s fiscal year 2015 budget includes $125 million to deliver high quality care through a new Managed Long Term Supports and Services system, allowing seniors to stay in their homes and communities rather than nursing homes.

·         Medicaid Expansion to Broaden Access to Quality Health Care. Governor Christie’s expansion of health care for New Jersey’s most vulnerable is already having a positive impact on coverage for our state. The continued expansion of Medicaid will mean that more New Jerseyans at or near the poverty line will have access to critical health services, while saving New Jersey taxpayers approximately $200 million in fiscal year 2015 alone.

·         Support for Uninsured Children. The Christie Administration has demonstrated its commitment to providing subsidized health coverage for uninsured children and has even been recognized for performance excellence in enrolling children in the FamilyCare program. Funding for children in FamilyCare is over $143 million, and will support coverage for over 182,000 children.

·         Reaffirming Commitment to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities or Mental Health Issues.Governor Christie has long spoken of the State’s moral imperative to recognize the individuality and unique needs of every New Jerseyan with a developmental disability or mental health issue. The Governor’s budget increases funding by $109.3 million of combined State and federal funding for community placements and related services.

·         Funding for the Senior and Disabled Citizens’ Property Tax Freeze. The $199.6 million included in the fiscal year 2015 budget will continue to provide benefits for over 152,000 current beneficiaries. It will also allow an expected 32,500 new seniors and citizens with disabilities to claim their first year of benefits.

Christie Acts Decisively To Balance NJ Budget

Gov. Christie Acts Decisively To Veto Over $1 Billion In Irresponsible Tax Hikes And Balance A 5^th Consecutive Budget

Makes the Hard and Necessary Choice to Protect Essential Services for New Jersey Families

GOVERNOR CHRISTIE SIGNS BALANCED, RESPONSIBLE BUDGET THAT PUTS NEW JERSEYANS FIRST:  Governor Christie continues to protect taxpayers by vetoing over $1 billion in tax increases on families and businesses while doing what is necessary to protect investments and critical services relied on by our most vulnerable New Jerseyans.  This budget is consistent with Governor Christie's pledge not to further tax New Jersey's already overburdened taxpayers and to protect the essential services that are key to New Jersey's future - our schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and safety net programs.  At $32.5 billion, the Fiscal Year 2015 budget signed today is more than $1 billion lower than the budget sent to him by the Legislature and that spends $2.3 billion less than the Fiscal Year 2008 budget on items not related to public employee pensions, health benefits, and debt service.

Today, the Governor is:

·         Vetoing Over $1 Billion In Irresponsible And Ineffective Tax Increases. Governor Christie continued to build on his record of protecting New Jersey taxpayers by vetoing over $1 billion in counterproductive tax increases that will only serve to drive families and businesses out of the state.

·         Protecting Critical Services And Investments That Impact Quality of Life. The Governor is protecting a host of critical services including funding for schools, hospitals, universities, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and safety net programs.

·         Making  A Responsible Pension Payment That Pays Today’s Bills, Not The Sins Of The Past.  The Christie Administration is making a $681 million payment to New Jersey’s pension funds that will cover the costs of benefits earned by active employees – those currently working for the State of New Jersey.  This payment also keeps Governor Christie’s promise to retirees. State of New Jersey retirees will not see any impact to the benefits they are currently receiving.

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE – UNSUSTAINABLE ENTITLEMENT COSTS CONTINUE TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL NATIONWIDE: Despite the fact that Governor Christie has contributed more to the pension system than any other governor in New Jersey history, the debt accrued in the pension system remains an insurmountable issue without further reform.  As Governor Christie has been making clear all year, unless New Jersey’s leaders make the choice to go further with reforms; pension, benefits and debt costs will overwhelm the State budget, monopolize resources, and threaten the investments and progress New Jersey has made over the past four years.

·        Over the last 4 years, 57% of all increased revenues the state has brought in have gone to pensions, health benefits and debt.

·        The New York Times: While More Than 40 States Have Taken Steps To Address Unfunded Liabilities, “None Have Come Close To Closing Their Pension Gaps Quickly Enough.” “More than 40 states have taken steps in recent years to rein in mounting public employee pension costs that threaten to strangle government services. But pension experts say that while some of those overhauls have whittled state shortfalls, even drawing upgrades from bond-rating agencies, many of them have simply deferred pension costs to the future. And none have come close to closing their pension gaps quickly enough to keep pace with a rapidly aging — and retiring — public work force.” (Rick Lyman & Mary Williams Walsh, “Public Pension Tabs Multiply as States Defer Costs and Hard Choices,” The New York Times, 2/24/14)

·        Across The Country The Total Unfunded Benefits Liability Has Grown From $3.1 To $4 Trillion Since 2009. “The clearest evidence that pension overhauls have fallen short is that the gap between the projected cost of the benefits and the money set aside to pay for them has continued to grow — to $4 trillion this year from $3.1 trillion in 2009, according to Joshua D. Rauh, a finance professor at Stanford University who has written extensively on public pensions but whose projections have been disputed by unions.” (Rick Lyman & Mary Williams Walsh, “Public Pension Tabs Multiply as States Defer Costs and Hard Choices,” The New York Times, 2/24/14)

MAKING THE CHOICE TO FUND CRITICAL SERVICES AND PRIORITIES FOR NEW JERSEYANS – Set against this landscape, the Governor is making the choice to fund the priorities that protect New Jerseyan’s quality of life and support the most vulnerable in our state.  The Governor’s budget continues to support essential services and investments in schools, hospitals, healthcare, drug treatment, colleges and universities, and care for our seniors and individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Governor Christie’s Budget Funds Essential Services and Investments While He Pursues Systemic Reform to Fix the Long-Term Fiscal Challenges of Unsustainable Pension & Health Benefit Costs

New Jersey’s Schools, Our Students, and Our Higher Education Institutions

·         Support For New Jersey’s Schools. Total direct State aid to schools will be over $12.9 billion. For the fourth year in a row, Governor Christie is setting a historic high for State spending for education.

·         Resources for Higher Education Institutions and Students.  Under the Governor’s budget, total State support is $2.32 billion, providing funding for 22,675 educators at New Jersey’s college and universities and supporting an increase in funding for student assistance.

Protecting Our State’s Most Vulnerable and Innovating for Higher Quality Care

·         Reclaiming Lives by Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment with Employment Services.  Going even further with the Governor’s commitment to help nonviolent offenders reclaim their lives through addiction treatment, the Christie Administration is devoting $1 million to support the integration of substance abuse treatment with employment services. 

o    Governor Christie further acts on his commitment by increasing funding by the $4.5 million necessary to continue the expansion of drug court treatment services.

·         Reforming Charity Care Funding to Align With Need.  The Christie Administration continues to transition to a new formula for the distribution of Charity Care that focuses on predictability, equitability, transparency and accountability.  Hospitals will receive $650 million in Charity Care payments in fiscal year 2015. 

·         Investing in Managed Community-Based Care to Give Seniors Excellent Care Options.  The Governor’s fiscal year 2015 budget includes $125 million to deliver high quality care through a new Managed Long Term Supports and Services system, allowing seniors to stay in their homes and communities rather than nursing homes.

·         Medicaid Expansion to Broaden Access to Quality Health Care. Governor Christie’s expansion of health care for New Jersey’s most vulnerable is already having a positive impact on coverage for our state. The continued expansion of Medicaid will mean that more New Jerseyans at or near the poverty line will have access to critical health services, while saving New Jersey taxpayers approximately $200 million in fiscal year 2015 alone.

·         Support for Uninsured Children. The Christie Administration has demonstrated its commitment to providing subsidized health coverage for uninsured children and has even been recognized for performance excellence in enrolling children in the FamilyCare program. Funding for children in FamilyCare is over $143 million, and will support coverage for over 182,000 children.

·         Building on Commitment to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities or Mental Health Issues. Governor Christie has long spoken of the State’s moral imperative to recognize the individuality and unique needs of every New Jerseyan with a developmental disability or mental health issue. The Governor’s budget increases funding by $109.3 million of combined State and federal funding for community placements and related services, increasing the Governor’s commitment to $197.7 million in new funding for these programs since fiscal year 2013.

·         Continued Funding for the Senior and Disabled Citizens’ Property Tax Freeze. The $199.6 million included in the fiscal year 2015 budget will continue to allow benefits to grow for over 152,000 current beneficiaries. It will also allow an expected 32,500 new seniors and citizens with disabilities to claim their first year of benefits.

Venus Williams Headed To Philly With Fashion Line

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams will showcase her line of women’s fitness attire, during the “BEN – FM  presents EleVen by Venus” halftime fashion show as the Philadelphia Freedoms take on the Washington Kastles at Villanova University Pavilion on Thursday July 17 at 7 p.m.

Armed with a Fashion Design degree from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Venus’ desire, as an athlete, was to create stylish fitness apparel that performs well.  The show will feature the EleVen by Venus vibrant Strisce collection, which includes a new beautiful bright yellow color, Freesia, into tank tops with honeycomb mesh and bold strips on skorts and dresses. The mission of EleVen by Venus is to empower women to express their individuality while promoting their own strength and confidence while offering impeccable design for high performance. 

"I am excited to present a part of the EleVen by Venus line during halftime at the upcoming match," said Venus Williams. "The Mylan World Team Tennis is so much fun, and our fashion show will reflect the same energy and excitement of this tournament which has been special to me for many years."

95.7 BEN – FM Morning show host Marilyn Russell will serve alongside Williams as co-emcee of the event describing the fitness line worn by local celebrity models. Russell, who most recently interviewed Philadelphia Freedoms Owner Billie Jean King for her popular Woman Of The Week segment, is an avid tennis fan and will bring her witty commentary to the show as the women display the EleVen by Venus line. T

he sportswear from this fashion show will also be auctioned off at the conclusion of the match; proceeds will benefit the Assistance in Healthcare foundation.

In addition to the highly anticipated fashion show, Venus is set to take on Philadelphia Freedoms’ teen sensation, Vicky Duval fresh off their individual matches in England at Wimbledon. Generations will clash when Venus, the 22 – time Grand Slam champion, faces off against Duval who is beginning her second season with the Freedoms. Duval, the 18 year old rising WTA tennis star is looking forward to continuing her hot streak after upsetting 2011 Champion, Sam Stosur, in the 2013 U.S. Open.

Entering their 15^th season of Mylan World TeamTennis (WTT) play, the 2014 Philadelphia Freedoms return to the Pavilion at Villanova University (800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA) for seven home matches this July. The 2014 home schedule will be highlighted by Grand Slam Champion marquee players Victoria Azarenka playing for the Freedoms (July 15), and visiting marquee player and Andy Roddick (Austin Aces – July 21) each playing one match in Philadelphia.

Freedoms 2014 individual and season tickets are available online exclusively at PhiladelphiaFreedoms.com or by phone (866-WTT-TIXS). 

Visit www.facebook.com/PhiladelphiaFreedoms and follow @PhillyFreedoms for up to date information about the team. Join the conversation about this season using the official hashtag #ServingFreedom

About EleVen By Venus^TM Williams:

In 2007, Venus Williams debuted a collection of classic tennis dresses and sportswear. In 2012, Venus Williams re-launched EleVen By Venus Williams as a true active lifestyle brand available to customers. This fresh start for the line embodies the designer’s iconoclastic approach to lifestyle active-wear: strong, simple, and iconic. EleVen By Venus Williams is sold at tennis shops, specialty boutiques, and online atEleVenbyVenus.com.

About Philadelphia Freedoms:

Mylan World TeamTennis (WTT) was co-founded by Billie Jean King who is also the owner of the Philadelphia Freedoms. The 2014 Philadelphia Freedoms are hosted by Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Generous support is also provided by official sponsors Lincoln Motor Company, 23K Studios, Atria Senior Living, Beneficial Bank, CBS-3/CW Philly, Comcast Spectacor, DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia - Valley Forge, Fast Signs of Delaware, Fidelity Investments, Hamlin Family Foundation, Macy*s, Neumann University Sport & Entertainment Management, NovaCare Rehabilitation, Philadelphia 76ers, Sweet Street Desserts, USTA Middle States, and Winnie’s LeBus Manayunk.​

Mylan World TeamTennis showcases the best in professional team tennis competing for the King Trophy, the league‘s championship trophy which is named after co-founder Billie Jean King. The 39th season of Mylan WTT runs July 6-27, 2014. For more information on Mylan WTT visit www.WTT.com.

Comcast – Spectactor (comcast-spectacor.com), which operates in 48 of the 50 United States, is the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment company which owns the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), the home arena for both the Flyers and the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, the Wells Fargo Center, and four Flyers Skate Zone community ice skating and hockey rinks. In addition, Comcast-Spectacor is also the principal owner of Global Spectrum, the fastest growing firm in the public assembly management field with more than 120 facilities throughout the United States and Canada; Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage service provider; Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company; FanOne, a digital fan marketing company; and Paciolan, the leading provider of venue enablement, ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions.

On This Day, One Man's Words Ring Very True!

"We establish no religion in this country, nor will we ever. We command no worship. We mandate no belief. But we poison our society when we remove its theological underpinnings. We court corruption when we leave it bereft of belief. All are free to believe or not believe; all are free to practice a faith or not. But those who believe must be free to speak of and act on their belief, to apply moral teaching to public questions." 

- Ronald Reagan

Full Text Of USSC's Union And Hobby Lobby Rulings

Click here to read today's decision by the United States Supreme Court in the union case, Harris v. Quinn.

Click here to read today's decision by the United States Supreme Court in the Hobby Lobby case on religious freedom.

The Beginning Of The End Of Obamunism?

Hobby Lobby Wins! And So Does Freedom!

Praise the Lord!
The United States Supreme Court has ruled that closely held corporations can refuse to provide services to employees that violate their own religious beliefs.
The court says corporations can hold such beliefs. The government cannot force them to violate those beliefs.
Indeed, the Court says that when the government tries to force these companies to carry out policies that the company owners do not agree with, the government violates religious freedom.
This is a major win!

Supremes Say 'No!' To Forced Unionization

The United States Supreme Court has just ruled "NO!" - The government CANNOT force you to join a union or to fund causes you do not support or do not believe in. Bravo!

Atlantic City Summer Events In Full Swing!

Imagine being able to catch a free, live show on the Atlantic City Boardwalk any given night of the week this summer, just a short trip away.

Atlantic City's free Boardwalk - in addition to the popular beach bars on A.C.'s free beaches - will host more than 150 free live concerts and shows during Summer '14. 

The Boardwalk will also be the perfect spot to view one of the biggest July 4th fireworks pyrotechnics shows in the country, the Atlantic City free beach concerts, parades and the return of the annual Atlantic City Air Show. It's no wonder that the Travel Channel's Annual Best Beach Awards of 2014 crowned Atlantic City as having the "Best Beach Boardwalk" in the world.

All of Atlantic City - from the City of Atlantic City, Atlantic City Alliance (ACA), Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), casinos, businesses and local organizations and residents - have come together to present the "DO AC Summerlong Celebration of the Boardwalk," which will feature concerts, live shows, activities and other free events every day of the week all summer.

Here is just a sampling of the "Celebration" events announced so far. Stay tuned for updates at doatlanticcity.com.

1. FREE MUSIC  Pick a genre, any genre... live music of all types will be booming from the Atlantic City Boardwalk this summer via a variety of free music series. (More details about the following free music series, other live show announcements, and the overall line-up of free entertainment on the A.C. Boardwalk this summer will be announced soon. For more information about these and many more events visit doatlanticcity.com<http://www.doatlanticcity.com>)

a.       FREE Blake Shelton Beach Concert (July 31)

b.      DO AC Summer Boardwalk Music Series (Featuring live bands with the "Boardwalk Beat" Dancers on the Main Stage at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk each Fri.-Sun., 8-11 p.m., from June 20-Labor Day)

c.       CRDA Summer Concert Series (Nine concerts on the beach and Boardwalk in July & August; details to be announced soon!)

d.      Chicken Bone Beach Jazz on the Beach Series (Thursday nights in July & August from 7-10 p.m., includes opening act and national headliner.)

e.      Atlantic City Free Public Library International Night Series (Wednesday nights in July & August from 7-8:30 p.m., schedule to be announced soon!)

f.        Beach Bar Bands & DJs (Bally's Bikini Beach Bar, the new Bar Anticipation on the beach at Trump Plaza, Margaritaville's Landshark Bar & Grill on the beach at Resorts, HQ Beach Club and the new Revel Beach & Cabanas will feature live bands and DJs throughout the summer. Check casino sites for schedules.)

g.       Daily concerts on the Midmer-Losh Pipe Organ in the Main Hall of Boardwalk Hall, followed by a chance to meet the organist, Dr. Steven Ball, and take a free, guided half-hour tour of the historic and world-renowned organ. The Midmer-Losh, was built between 1929 and 1932 by the Midmer-Losh Organ Company of Merrick, Long Island, N.Y and the Historic Organ Restoration Committee is presenting the new concert series for the first time since 1944! (Monday-Friday at noon, Free.)

2.  FREE EVENTS Many of the destination-defining, tourism-driving events the Atlantic City Alliance produced in 2013 will return in 2014 along with several free citywide events that garner national attention, including:

a.       DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup (June 19-July 6) The world's top 20 sand sculptors from across the globe will create their eye-popping masterpieces in the DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup. Before spectators' disbelieving eyes sculptors carve complex and detailed works, some as tall as 14 feet, with just sand and water as they compete in head-to-head singles and doubles competitions for global bragging rights and the most lucrative prizes in the world. The event, produced by the Atlantic City Alliance takes place on the Atlantic City Beach at Pennsylvania Avenue (between Resorts Casino Hotel and the Steel Pier) and is open 9am - 9pm daily. This year the event runs through the July 4th weekend. FREE and open to the public.

b.      We the People, By the People, For the People 4th of July Fireworks (Friday, July 4) Fourth of July weekend kicks off with one of the top five fireworks displays in the country. This show is so big that it takes two ocean barges and one marina platform to fill the island's entire sky. More than 250,000 people take up their favorite viewing positions along the World Famous Boardwalk, at one of the many beach bar parties or viewing events, on the Steel Pier, or at the luxury casino resorts. Now in its third year producing the July 4th fireworks, the Atlantic City Alliance has asked the people to choose the songs for the show this year. FREE

c.       Blake Shelton Free Beach Concert (July 31) Blake Shelton is coming to Atlantic City this summer for a free concert on the beach! Sign up at doatlanticcity.com to receive e-mail updates about the Blake Shelton concert, and be the first to know about the exact time, location and more. FREE

d.      Atlantic City Airshow (August 13) Produced annually by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, the AC Airshow is a spectacle for the entire family. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will once again headline the event, which has been a summer tradition for more than a decade. Each year hundreds of thousands of spectators gather on the beach and Boardwalk for the daylong event to watch the amazing stunts and breathtaking aeronautic maneuvers by a host of exciting commercial acts.  FREE

e.      Held in conjunction with the Airshow each year, the Atlantic City Salutes America's Armed Forces Parade takes place on the Boardwalk, Monday, August 11 at 6pm. Both events are supported by the City of Atlantic City, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and ACA. FREE

3.  FREE ENTERTAINMENT  Whether you want to start your day with a free fitness class, experience the nightly "DO AC 3D Sound & Light Show," or visit some of the new and historic attractions along the Boardwalk, the "DO AC Summerlong Celebration of the Boardwalk" is jam-packed with a variety of free activities, including:

a.       The award-winning "DO AC" 3D Sound & Light Show is projected on the façade of Boardwalk Hall every half hour starting at 9:30 p.m. nightly. (The start and end time for the shows change depending on sunset and shows at Boardwalk Hall. For exact times visit doatlanticcity.com<http://doatlanticcity.com/>)

b.      Two morning fitness classes - "AC Beach Body Boot Camp" (9 a.m.) and "AC Zumba" (10 a.m.) - will be held 7 days a week on the Boardwalk at the ARTLANTIC: Etude Atlantis site (California Avenue and the Boardwalk)

c.       Get Crowned! The new Miss America tribute area at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk (across from Boardwalk Hall) features a bronze sculpture created by New Jersey artist Brian Hanlon and is designed specially so that anyone can be "crowned" Miss America for a photo, video or just for fun; as well as an interactive digital kiosk. Other new attractions on the Boardwalk include the recently unveiled Heartwalk sculpture (a giant, 30-foot wooden heart constructed out of former pieces from the Atlantic City Boardwalk, on the Boardwalk at New York Avenue), new rides at the Steel Pier, grand re-opening of the historic Claridge Hotel - one of Atlantic City's three new "boutique" hotels on or nearby the "Great Wooden Way" opening this year, and the massive 27-panel land and sea-themed mural, "Journey," adorning Boardwalk Hall's West Hall.

d.      Atlantic City's free beaches and Boardwalk feature fantastic people-watching spots, as well as great views, historic landmarks, free attractions (such as the New Jersey Korean War Memorial at Park Place and the Boardwalk at Brighton Park) and miles of sand, boards and surf to walk, run, swim and enjoy your favorite watersport activities.

4.  AC EXPERIENCE (To truly experience Atlantic City, a stroll on the World Famous Boardwalk is a must. Along with free music series, mega-events and other daily and nightly entertainment, the Boardwalk affords many more opportunities to DO AC!)

·         BOARDWALK AL FRESCO DINING: Several Boardwalk eateries offer al fresco dining, including the new Backyard Bar at Caesars, the Bungalow Lounge & Restaurant, Worship Surf Bar at Showboat, the Steel Pier (off the Boardwalk), the Landshark Bar & Grill at Resorts, as well as others.

·         HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS WITH WATER VIEWS: Thanks to its location on a band of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Absecon Inlet, Atlantic City is surrounded by water. Restaurateurs have ample opportunity to capitalize on this asset by designing dining rooms and decks to maximize the "ooh" factor of the resort city's priceless views. And with dining options from luxury to casual there is a restaurant with an ocean view to suit every taste. Some of the extraordinary options on the Boardwalk include: Nero's Chophouse and Sushi Room at Caesars; FIN at the Tropicana Casino & Resort; the Scores adult entertainment complex at the Trump Taj Mahal; the Foundation Room at the House of Blues at Showboat; American Cut, Amada and Azure by Allegretti (all located at Revel), Phillips Seafood and Starbucks on Level 3 of The Pier Shops at Caesars, the Claridge and Chelsea boutique hotels, and, of course, the beach-based Landshark Bar & Grill, part of Resorts Casino Hotel's Margaritaville complex - which celebrates its one-year anniversary this year.

·         BEACH BARS: Among the new beach bar options this summer, Bar Anticipation takes over the spot where the Trump Plaza Beach Bar used to be, and the Revel Beach & Cabanas, featuring three oceanfront pools, debuts. Other options include Bally's Bikini Beach Bar, HQ Beach Club at Revel and the Landshark Bar & Grill at Resorts.

·         CASINOS: Many of Atlantic City's 11 casino hotels are located just off the Boardwalk. Inside, you'll find gaming floors, restaurants, spas, shops, casino bars and lounges, as well as some of the best nightlife and daylife venues on the East Coast. For a list of the array of clubs and other casino venues, visit doatlanticcity.com.

·         ATTRACTIONS: Visit the iconic Steel Pier, the popular Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum, the multi-level, oceanfront retail and dining venue The Pier Shops at Caesars, among an assortment of other Boardwalk shops and restaurants. In between, take a ride on Atlantic City's famous Rolling Chairs or hop on the new Boardwalk Jitney, which makes its debut this summer.

This is just the beginning! Stay tuned for more announcements regarding free, live entertainment on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. 

Visit doatlanticcity.com<http://www.doatlanticcity.com> for updates and for more information on the above events and attractions.

About Atlantic City
From sandals to stilettos and foie gras to funnel cakes, Atlantic City offers something for everyone. Enjoy world-class entertainment, dining, shopping, gaming, relaxing on the beach and strolling the historic Boardwalk in the city created to escape the city. For more information visit www.doatlanticcity.com<http://www.doatlanticcity.com> or:

 *   Facebook - www.facebook.com/DOAtlanticCity<http://www.facebook.com/DOAtlanticCity>
 *   Twitter - www.twitter.com/VisitAC<http://www.twitter.com/VisitAC>

 *   YouTube - www.YouTube.com/DOAC<http://www.YouTube.com/DOAC>

 *   Foursquare - www.foursquare.com/VisitAC<http://www.foursquare.com/VisitAC>
 *   Instagram - www.instagram.com/DOAC<http://www.instagram.com/DOAC>
 *   Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/DOAtlanticCity<http://www.pinterest.com/DOAtlanticCity>
 *   Twitter for Media Only - www.twitter.com/VisitACpress<http://www.twitter.com/VisitACpress>

The Atlantic City Alliance was established in 2011 as a private, not-for-profit corporation whose primary mission is to develop and implement a full-scale, broad-based, multi-year marketing program for Atlantic City.