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How much did Gov. Chris Christie know about the Port Authority’s proposed toll hikes?
Could Gov. Chris Christie, the iron-fisted leader who installed some of his closest confidantes to run the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, have been caught unawares by Friday’s announcement of a 50-percent toll hike at Port Authority bridges and tunnels that mainly serve his constituents?
Some say no: It’s political theater scripted to let Christie intervene on behalf of commuters and partially roll back the increase to a level more like the one he said he would be open to back in June.
“Realistically, it wouldn’t have been done without both governors having complete knowledge of what was in place,” said Michael Francis, a former chairman of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, appointed by Republican Gov. Christie Whitman. (Strunsky, The Star-Ledger)