With New Jersey voters evenly split on whether to approve two new casinos in the northern part of the state, a push to get voters to vote yes on the proposal got underway in the Meadowlands region near New York City, where one of the proposed casinos would be built.



Political, business and labor leaders held a news conference in Rutherford Friday to begin to shape public opinion on the proposal, which will be on the November ballot.



It will ask voters whether to approve casinos in separate counties in northern new Jersey, with part of their gambling revenue going to help Atlantic City redevelop itself.



Speakers said a successful campaign will stress the benefits for all of New Jersey, and play down a north-south divide.