Bill would end authority’s control of Liberty State Park

TRENTON (AP) — The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority would have no control over projects at Liberty State Park under a bill Senate President Steve Sweeney has introduced.

Gov. Chris Christie signed into law earlier this year a bill overhauling several Meadowlands area planning agencies and giving authority over the park to the sports commission.

The law angered park boosters and environmental groups who worried the law would pave the way to commercial development at the park. Christie and lawmakers immediately pledged to amend the law.

The Assembly passed a bill giving ultimate authority to the state Department of Environmental Protection, though the commission could still review development plans under the bill.

Now Sweeney is proposing taking all authority over the park away from the commission.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)