Port Authority hires have ties to NJ guv

A newspaper's review of records shows the Port Authority has hired 50 people recommended by Gov. Chris Christie's administration during the past two years.

The review by The Record found that those holding the jobs -- which range from federal affairs director to toll collector -- earn about $4 million overall in annual salaries. Those who spoke with the newspaper said they were qualified for the jobs they held.

The jobholders include the former vice chairman of the Passaic County Republican committee, the former director of the state Republican committee, and the son of former Republican Assembly Speaker Garabed "Chuck" Haytaian.

Port Authority officials defend the appointments, noting they've sharply reduced overall staffing levels and have reduced their payroll by $10.5 million over the past two years.

They say the authority's 6,800-person workforce is the smallest it has been in 40 years, and its operating budget has remained flat for several years.

Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak says personnel changes at the agency "are ordinary, customary and necessary" when new governors take office.

"They are also the prerogative of any new Port Authority administration as it imposes new priorities, vision and direction for the agency," Drewniak said. "In that regard, we are extremely pleased to see the Port Authority continue to address the mismanagement that occurred under prior administrations."

The Port Authority is a large and complex agency that spends billions each year to run the New York City region's airports, PATH trains, seaports and Hudson River crossings like the George Washington Bridge.

The governors of New York and New Jersey select the 12-member board of commissioners as well as the agency's top two executives, but they have no official authority to hire other agency employees.