Bill Text: NJ SR88 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges PANYNJ to immediately end regional bank program which reserves money for projects selected by governors for projects not related to PANYNJ facilities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-09-15 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [SR88 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SR88-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator RAYMOND J. LESNIAK
District 20 (Union)
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Urges PANYNJ to immediately end regional bank program which reserves money for projects selected by governors for projects not related to PANYNJ facilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to immediately eliminate the regional bank program which reserves money for projects selected by the Governor of New York or the Governor of New Jersey not related to facilities owned by the Port Authority.
Whereas, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) is a bi-state agency established by compact between the State of New York and the State of New Jersey; and
Whereas, Since the 1980s, the Port Authority has spent more than $337 million on projects that do not further the Port Authority's original mission to facilitate the movement of cargo, vehicles, and people and to construct terminal, transportation, and other facilities of commerce in the Port District; and
Whereas, The Port Authority has reserved funds for the regional bank program through which the Governor of New York selects projects in New York and the Governor of New Jersey selects projects in New Jersey, not directly related to any Port Authority facility but paid for using funds raised through fares and tolls imposed for the use of Port Authority facilities; and
Whereas, Projects funded in New Jersey with the regional bank program include $12 million for Stevens Institute of Technology, a private college in Hoboken, $19 million for an academic building at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, $1.3 million for a plant in Sandy Hook Bay that purifies shellfish from contamination, and more than $92 million for road work throughout New Jersey; and
Whereas, The Port Authority's current proposed capital plan authorizes $942 million in additional regional spending not related to Port Authority facilities through 2023; and
Whereas, This use of Port Authority funds has contributed to fare and toll increases that place a burden on residents in the region and deprives existing Port Authority facilities of needed funds which could be used to maintain aging Port Authority infrastructure and facilities; and
Whereas, The Port Authority Bus Terminal, a facility owned by the Port Authority, is in desperate need of upgrades with problems including roof leaks, unpredictable bus arrival and departure times, long lines, malfunctioning heating and air conditioning systems, and outdated bathroom facilities, but the cost of that project has not been included in the Port Authority capital plan, overlooked in favor of spending on the regional bank program's projects not related to Port Authority facilities; and
Whereas, It is therefore fitting and proper and in the best interests of the citizens of this State and the region for this House to urge the Port Authority to immediately end the regional bank program and the practice of reserving money for projects selected by the Governor of New York or the Governor of New Jersey not related to facilities owned by the Port Authority; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to immediately end the regional bank program and end the practice of reserving money for projects selected by the Governor of New York or the Governor of New Jersey not related to facilities owned by the Port Authority.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary to every member of the Board of Commissioners and to the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This Senate resolution urges the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) to immediately end the regional bank program and the practice of reserving money for projects selected by the Governor of New York or the Governor of New Jersey not related to facilities owned by the Port Authority.
The Port Authority is a bi-state agency established by compact between the State of New York and the State of New Jersey. Since the 1980s, the Port Authority has funded a regional bank program, through which the Governor of New York selects projects in New York and the Governor of New Jersey selects projects in New Jersey not directly related to any Port Authority facility, but paid for using funds raised through fares and tolls imposed for the use of Port Authority facilities. The Port Authority's current proposed capital plan authorizes $942 million in additional regional spending not related to Port Authority facilities through 2023. This use of Port Authority funds has contributed to fare and toll increases that place a burden on residents in the region and deprives existing Port Authority facilities of needed funds which could be used to maintain aging Port Authority infrastructure and facilities.
