Tolls, Transparency And Subpoenas On Budget Panel’s Docket

Tomorrow, the Assembly Transportation Committee will meet to consider issuing subpoenas to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The panel will consider a resolution regarding the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, e-mails and other documents related to the finances of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“This step was made necessary by the Port Authority’s hubris and abject failure to respond to basic questions about its operations,” says committee chairman, Assemblyman John Wisniewski who is also Deputy Assembly Speaker.

“The Port Authority has blatantly shirked oversight and clearly forgotten it exists to serve the public. It has hidden information on its toll increase, wasted money on overtime, stacked its payroll with political cronies, failed to respond to public records requests and tried to obfuscate by declining hearing invitations. It’s time for the committee to consider how best to get straight answers for the benefit of toll payers.”

In March, the full Assembly voted to grant the panel subpoena power over the Port Authority. The bill was co-sponsored by Wisniewski. The measure was prompted by scathing reports and questionable decisions by the Port Authority during recent months.