>Gov. Christie lashes out at Port Authority exec, cites inconsistent toll hike figures
In his first public comments on the controversy surrounding the Port Authority’s recent toll hike, Gov. Chris Christie is once again criticizing the agency’s former executive director, Christopher Ward.
The issue involves differences between the Port Authority’s public statements justifying the September toll increase, and what its lawyers are now saying in defending the agency against a lawsuit seeking to overturn the increase.
Leading up to the approval of the toll hike in August, the agency said the revenue would help finance a $25.1 billion, 10-year capital plan that included the World Trade Center’s redevelopment. But since last month, lawyers and agency officials have said the hike will finance less than $11 billion worth of transportation projects. Angry lawmakers from both states have called for an investigation. (Strunsky, The Star-Ledger)
