New Jersey Gov. and University of Delaware alumnus Chris Christie has gotten some high marks, based on public opinion polls that show a 45 percent to 50 percent approval rating. That’s quite an accomplishment, given his battles with teachers unions and other organizations.
It seems Christie’s combative style is a hit with business owners and residents facing sky-high tax rates.
Then again, he may have taken the rhetorical flourishes too far.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) took note of a press release from the governor’s office entitled, “Governor Chris Christie Applauds Action to Remove E-Z Pass Perks at the Port Authority of NY/NJ.” In the release, he called on others to do the same. “It’s time for the authorities that have not yet acted on my directive, the Delaware River and Bay Authority and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to end these abusive practices as well…”
The problem is the DRBA has never handed out E-Z Pass perks to employees or retirees.
There’s an explanation for this. Several years ago, former Director Mike Harkins was living the good life as the Executive Director of the DRBA.
Despite a nearly $2oo,000 a year salary, Harkins, a former Delaware Secretary of State and GOP stalwart, was accused of spending authority funds to charter trips to sporting events down south and other offenses. He ended up doing 14 months in prison.
Since that time, the authority has, by all accounts, kept to the straight and narrow, although some legacies from the past, such as a luxurious headquarters, remain.
“It’s very difficult to eliminate a benefit that doesn’t exist,” remarked James N. Hogan, Chairman of the DRBA Commission. “In the future, I would respectfully request that the Governor direct his staff to do proper due-diligence to insure that such inaccuracies don’t occur again and that the DRBA be evaluated on its own merits.”
This faux pas won’t put a dent in the governor’s popularity, but does suggest the former federal prosecutor should use some of his blistering rhetoric on staffers researching and writing those press releases.
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