Govs. Cuomo, Christie appoint PANYNJ reform panel

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced yesterday they've formed a bi-state special panel that will explore the future of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ).

The panel will review and evaluate reforms of the authority's mission, structure, management, operations and overall governance "for the betterment of the region," the governors wrote in a letter to PANYNJ's commissioners.

The panel was appointed in response to New York state officials' concerns expressed last year about the port's development operations at JFK and LaGuardia airports, as well as concerns raised this year over operations of the George Washington Bridge, the letter stated.

"The accompanying legal issues must be fully researched considering the laws of both states, as well as federal legislation and the laws governing the financial structure of the port," the governors wrote.

The panel will first meet "as soon as reasonably possible" and issue recommendations that are expected to be ready for the governors within 60 days.

Last week, Christie nominated former New Jersey Attorney General John Degnan as PANYNJ chairman to replace David Samson, who resigned last month amid a controversy over alleged dysfunction at the authority and investigations into potential conflicts of interest. Degnan is among Christie's appointees to the new bi-state panel.