Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced yesterday the creation of a panel to recommend reforms at the Port Authority. In a joint letter they said the panel should review the embattled agency's mission, structure, management, operations, and overall governance. The governors said they are unhappy with the George Washington bridge scandal, as well as the operation of John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports. The letter suggested they would pursue ways to split up ownership or at least management of the agency's transit and infrastructure assets between the states. The panel is to be comprised of lawyers for both governors and current members of the authority's board. Its recommendations, which are expected within 60 days, wouldn't be binding. Some changes would need approval from the governors, others would require consent from Congress. Sen. Charles Schumer, who last week criticized the governors' politicization of the authority, commended the panel's creation.
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