WASHINGTON — Gov. Chris Christie boasted that months of private negotiations with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resulted in a $32 billion Port Authority capital plan that, for the first time in the bi-state agency’s history, put New Jersey first.
Christie called the plan “really good” during an address at a New Jersey Chamber of Commerce event in Washington D.C. Thursday night, saying it marked “the first time in history” in which New Jersey has received more money than New York.
The Republican governor said it was the result of his strong relationship with Cuomo, a Democrat.
“I want to publicly acknowledge what an extraordinary public servant Andrew Cuomo is and what a great partner he has been with me and what a great partner he has been for our region,” Christie said.
The spending plan includes $3.5 billion toward a new Port Authority Bus Terminal, a project which had been omitted from the original plan. Officials hope to have a new bus terminal built by 2029 or 2030.
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Also approved in the plan was $1.7 billion to extend the PATH rail system to Newark Airport and $2.7 billion to pay debt from the Gateway Project.
While taking a victory lap, Christie also blasted Democratic lawmakers, including state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), who have criticized him for not doing enough to get bus terminal projects in the state.
“They think if you’re not making noise, you’re not doing anything. I have the opposite view — especially about legislators,” Christie said.
“All they do is make noise and most of them do nothing,” he said. “Especially the ones who have been yapping the most about the Port Authority. (They) are nothing but big talkers, like Sen. Weinberg … who accomplish very little.”
Christie added: “She’s relatively useless as far as I’m concerned is terms of actually getting things done.”
Weinberg praised the capital plan, calling it a “big step forward.”
But she pushed back at Christie, saying the only reason she has been outspoken on New Jersey projects is because she was advocating for the people in her district.
“I started on this little odyssey about two-and-a-half years ago, prompted by constituents of mine,” she said. “It came out of constituents that (take public transit) day in and day out.”
NJ Advance Media staff writers Larry Higgs and Brent Johnson contributed to this report.
Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or on Facebook.
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