New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli addressed the veto of a Port Authority reform bill by Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey and Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York on this week's Capitol Connection.
"Well, it is unusual when you have – I believe it was unanimous – both in the New York legislature and New Jersey legislature. You have two legislatures unanimous, Republicans and Democrats, so I do think it was a missed opportunity. That being said, what, I think prompted the lack of support is that it coincided with the report that the governors, Christie and Cuomo, commissioned to make recommendations on how to change operations at the Port Authority and there was a piece in terms of public information in a parallel bill that was approved," DiNapoli tells WAMC's Alan Chartock.
"You know, look, based on the comments in the paper it sounds like the sponsors are going to bring it up in the next session in 2015. From my point of view, the legislation would have done by statute — which is important so regardless of who the governors are, you would have had certain requirements as far as accountability, transparency, the notion of board members or commissioners having a fiduciary responsibility — it really sought to bring Port Authority procedures in line with the public authority procedures we have on the books in New York. Those, by the way, need to be strengthened as well. But I think given some of the reaction to the veto, it’s going to require a continued conversation on how we can make sure the Port Authority is operating with best practices with a priority on accountability and transparency."
