NEWARK — Over the past year, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been buffeted by controversy and criticism.
Some of its members were reportedly involved in a New Jersey lane-closing scandal at the George Washington Bridge. It also faced allegations of conflicts of interest in the awarding of contracts, the abrupt resignation of its chairman, and criminal investigations on both sides of the Hudson River.
Now everyone seems to have an opinion on how to reform the huge 93-year-old agency, which operates the bridges, tunnels, ports, and airports in the New York region and was called a ‘‘challenged and dysfunctional organization’’ in a 2012 audit report.
Some have advocated taking away the power of appointing board members from the two states’ governors. Others see legislative solutions that would provide more oversight. At a news conference last month, Governor Chris Christie said he was intrigued by the idea of splitting the bistate agency into New York and New Jersey divisions.
Those ideas are expected to be discussed Monday in New York at a special panel composed of academics and public policy analysts. Specific reform measures could be proposed in the next few months.