By Philip Newman
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has called for major reforms in the Port Authority and restoration of the agency’s original mission.
“Over the past several decades, the fabric binding the Port Authority to its core mission has frayed, slowly unwinding as states saw an opportunity to use authority funds to cover budget shortfalls and finance pet projects,” Schumer told the Partnership for New York Monday.
“More frequently now than ever,” he continued, “the Port Authority has come to be seen as the proverbial honey pot, a cookie jar, a rainy day fund — whatever metaphor you prefer — for state projects outside the port’s core mission.”
The Port Authority operates John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Teterboro, Stewart International and Atlantic City International airports and has its own 1,600-member police force.
It maintains some bridges and tunnels, owns the World Trade Center and operates the East Coast’s premier marine terminal in Elizabeth, N.J.
Schumer said he was proposing a package of reforms that the Port Authority should consider. Any such changes would be subject to approval by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, of New York, and Gov. Chris Christie, of New Jersey, since the PA is a bi-state agency.
“We need substantial, permanent and lasting reforms, and I believe that with a largely forgotten act of Congress in 1921, we have a way to achieve just that,” Schumer said.
“You see, most people don’t know it,” he continued, “but the Port Authority itself is an animal of Congress. It came into being by an act of Congress and it is still governed by it. For nearly 93 years, the Port of New York Compact has not been comprehensively evaluated. Now, for the better conduct of commerce, we should look to reform the Port Compact.”
Schumer maintains that the power to select leadership in the Port Authority should go to its board of 12 commissioners from the two states rather than from selection by the two governors.
Schumer’s proposal came after months after members of the Christie administration were accused of carrying out traffic lane shutdowns to deliberately cause a monumental traffic jam in downtown Fort Lee, N.J., near the George Washington Bridge.
Some sources said it was a retaliatory act by some members of Christie’s office against Fort Lee officials.
“Bridgegate was a symptom, not a cause, of the Port Authority’s dysfunction,” Schumer said.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
