|
New Jersey lawmakers sent a Port Authority reform bill to Governor Christie that he is all but certain to veto, according to Politico New Jersey.
The bill (S708), approved by a 67-0 vote last week by the N.J. legislature, is a competing proposal to one that has already passed the New York Legislature and been signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Without an approval in Trenton, though, that proposal cannot take effect.
"Trying to get identical legislation agreed upon and passed in both houses of two separate legislatures is no easy feat, especially legislation that remains true to our intent and tackles our main goals," Democratic Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, a primary sponsor, said in a statement. "But after a lengthy, multi-year process, I'm confident that we've come to an agreement that does just that."
The Democrats who back measure say it would do a far better job of addressing systemic issues with the notoriously secretive bi-state authority. While much
of the legislation mirrors what has been enacted in
|
New York, it also includes several provisions meant to give lawmakers additional oversight. That has been the main sticking point.
The bill would require officials with the bi-state agency to appear before the state legislatures in New York and New Jersey up to twice a year. It also calls for the appointment of the chair and vice chair of the agency to rotate every two years between the New Jersey and New York commissioners.
The reforms were triggered by controversy surrounding the closure for four days in September 2013 of two access lanes on the Fort Lee side of the George Washington to create a politically-motivated traffic jam.
For the measure to be adopted, it would have to be signed by both Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
For more of the Politico New Jersey story: www.capitalnewyork.com
|
