Time to see light, N.Y.-N.J. agency told

TRENTON - The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has spent much of its history largely operating behind closed doors.

But things would be different under sweeping changes to be demanded tomorrow by Gov. Corzine and New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

In a letter to the authority obtained by the Associated Press, the governors call for the agency to conduct more business in public, subject itself to independent scrutiny, and face tougher ethics rules.

The 86-year-old authority runs major airports, bridges and tunnels in the New York City region. It has a $5 billion annual budget.

But it faces no requirement to hold public meetings.

Corzine and Spitzer want the agency to follow the open-meetings laws of both states, provide public notice of meetings, allow public comment at meetings, publicly detail why it must meet in secret when it does so, and hold meetings throughout the region to give the public more chances to participate.

"The port authority has a direct impact on the lives of millions of New Jerseyans and New Yorkers, and the public deserves to be a full partner in its decision-making process," Corzine spokeswoman Lilo Stainton said.

The authority operates John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airports; a port; the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels; and the George Washington Bridge. It also is overseeing reconstruction of the former World Trade Center site, and is involved in plans to build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River.

Besides holding open public meetings, Corzine and Spitzer want the board to:

Improve contracting policies by advertising more widely and publishing regular reports identifying vendors and disclosing contracts.

Hire an independent auditor to annually review its spending, with audited financial statements posted on the authority's Web site.

Adopt rules requiring board members to disclose any business dealings they, their families and employers have with the authority, and to recuse themselves from contracting decisions involving a relative or a relative's business.

Annually report the salaries, professional experience and educational backgrounds of the 20 highest-paid executive staff members.

"Public confidence in government rests on governing bodies and officials conducting their affairs in a way that is fair, transparent, efficient and ethical," the Democratic governors wrote in their letter, which came as legislators in both states have proposed tighter oversight over authority operations.

Spokesman Marc La Vorgna said the agency appreciated the governors' "guidance and direction."

"We look forward to working with them to implement these measures in the coming months," he said.