TRENTON – The chairman of an Assembly transportation panel seeking to evoke the lower chamber’s subpoena power over the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey fired off at the Assembly Republican Leader Wednesday for “engaging in partisan protection” on behalf of the governor.
Assemblyman John Wisniewski, (D-19), Sayreville, accused Assembly Republicans of throwing “innuendoes and suspicion” into a straightforward process, claiming members of the minority leadership made a rare appearance at the Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee hearing to do Gov. Chris Christie’s bidding.
“You were sent on a partisan mission ,” Wisniewski said to the Assembly Republican leader, Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-21), Westfield, adding, “And you are doing a very good job.”
The statement was made after the minority leader raised concerns about the objectivity of the Democratic-controlled transportation panel.
“What we’re saying is that we want a fair and objective look,” Bramnick said.
The Assembly Republican leader asked whether the intent of the process will be to protect the public or simply chart a course in an attempt to embarrass the governor. The subpoena process could also be a costly endeavor, Bramnick said, saying taxpayers will be on the receiving end of flipping the bill for any likely legal action.
“We all know that if you receive a subpoena there is a sense that is a criminal-type investigation,” Bramnick said. “I suspect that we will enter into many legal fights. … What will they cost the taxpayers of the state?”
Democratic committee members lashed out at Assembly Republicans.
“It defies logic to me that (there is an) effort to block this gathering of information,” said Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-22), Scotch Plains. “Why are you afraid of what we’re going to find.”
In mid-March, the Assembly passed AR61 by a 44-30-2 vote, primarily along party lines, to designate the Assembly transportation committee as a special committee to investigate all aspects of the finances of the Port Authority. Today’s meeting is the next step in the process of eventually subpoenaing the Port Authority.
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