Mobilizing the Region

Issue 218 April 30, 1999


Time For Glasnost At The PA

The cross-Hudson political blow up over Port Authority finances demonstrates once again a fundamental PA weakness. The multi-billion dollar agency whose investments profoundly shape metropolitan economics and transportation operates almost entirely behind closed doors. As a result, a many of its initiatives become lightning rods for community and political opposition.

NY Legislature bills A.2581 and S.2150 and a pending NJ Assembly bill take a first step towards a more open PA. The bills mandate a public speaking segment at PA board of commissioners' meetings prior to board votes, and release of board meeting agendas 5 days in advance of the meetings. The bills would do away with the PA's onerous requirement that citizens wishing to address the board sign up three days in advance.

The bills are sponsored by NJ Assembly Transportation Chair Alex DeCroce, and in NY by Albert Vann and John Marchi, chairs respectively of the Assembly and State Senate Committees on Corporations and Public Authorities.


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