Assemblyman David G. McDonough (R,C-Merrick), Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, announced that he has contacted the Chairman of the Port Authority of NY & NJ, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Governor Chris Christie to state his vehement opposition to the recent toll/fare hike proposal put forth by the Port Authority. In addition, he will be contacting Governor Cuomo and Governor Christie regarding the recent audit of the Port Authority by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

“I find it extremely disturbing that in these tough economic times the Port Authority has the audacity to once again reach into the pockets of our commuters, especially in light of the July audit issued by the New York State Comptroller of the Port Authority’s finances, which showed that the Port Authority spent over $85 million in overtime in 2010 alone,” said Assemblyman McDonough.

In addition, according to the Comptroller’s audit, the Port Authority does not have documentation to support $1.18 billion of $1.3 billion worth of service contracts and agreements and may be missing out on millions of dollars in cost savings. The audit also found that the Port Authority’s claims of fiscal responsibility are seriously compromised by management’s failure to find alternatives in regard to personnel costs and in deciding which hiring and staffing strategies are most effective.

“How can the Port Authority, in light of the Comptroller’s findings, ask our overburdened commuters and taxpayers to finance their fiscal irresponsibility? They can’t! Now is the time for Governor Cuomo and Governor Christie to take matters under control and look into the current leadership of the Port Authority and also delay the vote on the current toll/fare hike proposals,” concluded Assemblyman McDonough.