TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Chris Christie’s desk to overhaul the bistate agency that controls the New York City region’s airports, bridges and tunnels, though the measure is different from one passed in New York.
The Democrat-led Assembly approved the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey bill on Thursday. It now heads to Christie.
The two states must enact the same bill for the changes to take effect. These include the establishment of a rotating chairmanship and whistleblower protections.
The states have failed to iron out differences since New York lawmakers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Christie backed a different bill in June.
A provision in the New Jersey bill that requires legislative oversight of the agency is the biggest difference between the measures.
The agency has an $8 billion budget and was at the center of the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal that resulted in indictments of former agency officials and an aide to the governor.
New Jersey’s Democratic lawmakers say the scandal demonstrates why stricter oversight is needed. But Republicans have pointed out legislators already have the authority to call for subpoenas if they want.
Efforts to reform the agency stretch back at least four years, lawmakers say. The legislation took a leap forward in 2014 when both state legislatures unanimously passed overhaul measures.
But Cuomo and Christie vetoed those bills and instead recommended changes including the creation of a single chief executive.
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