Efforts Continue for South Jersey Representation on New Jersey Turnpike Authority

A Senate bill that would mandate one representative of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board of Commissioners come from the southern portion of the state has passed second reading but has yet to reach the Senate floor.

Meanwhile an Assembly bill proposing the same change remains before the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, according to Sen. Chris Connors.

Connors relayed the information to Galloway Township resident Richard Price in a letter dated Aug. 31, 2012, and Price provided a copy of the letter to various township officials and Galloway Patch on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

Connors’ letter came in response to Price’s statements at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s Public Information Center at the on

“The Senate President makes those determinations,” Connors said Thursday morning. “We did have a voting session about a week and a half ago where we voted on 40 bills, so it just may not have gotten to that point yet.”

S1654, sponsored by Connors and Sen. Jeff Van Drew and co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Whelan, calls for one of the seven members of the Turnpike Authority appointed by the governor to come from Atlantic, Cape May or Ocean county.

The authority consists of eight members, including the Commissioner of Transportation, ex officio, or his designee.

The seven appointments include five appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, another appointment at the recommendation of the Senate President and the final appointment at the recommendation of the head of the General Assembly.

Legislation isn’t the only route Connors is considering.

There is currently a vacancy on the Turnpike Authority, a vacancy Connors says has existed since the beginning of the year. Connors wrote a letter to Gov. Chris Christie on Feb. 7, requesting the governor fill the current vacancy with a resident from the southern portion of the state.

“I have not yet gotten a response, nor has the vacancy been filled,” Connors said. “It takes time, and there are a lot of vacancies on a lot of boards. A lot has to be considered, but it has taken a long time.”

A copy of that letter is attached to this story as a PDF.

According to Connors, even if the vacancy is filled with a resident from southern New Jersey, he will continue to pursue the legislation. He believes there might be some push back from the administration, pointing to the appointment that could possibly be made.

“They might say they don’t want to be dictated to as to what appointments they should make,” Connors said. “Even if the legislation doesn’t pass, I believe we achieved a significant goal in expressing the sentiment that some representation should come from southern New Jersey, and it could serve as provocation for an appointment.”

He and his delegation continue to push the Senate bill.

“By way of background, S-1654 was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee in March of this year but has remained on Second Reading since, whereas A-2250 remains lodged in the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee,” Connors said in his letter to Price. “Working in conjunction with colleagues from the other side of the aisle, our Delegation continues to push for the Legislative Majority Party Leadership to post this legislation for a floor vote.

“Please note that our Delegation wholeheartedly agrees with your position, especially given the long overdue projects that are underway in South Jersey as well as the need for additional infrastructure upgrades to meet increasing traffic demand.”

Connors first mentioned the issue to Galloway and Port Republic residents during a “Meet the Legislators Night” in Galloway on At that time, he also said he felt the Turnpike Authority should hold meetings in the southern portion of the state.

Connors and Van Drew are sponsors of Senate bill S1686, and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are sponsors of Assembly bill A-2529, proposing at least two meetings of the authority be held on a rotating basis between Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties each year.

According to representatives from Connors’ office, S-1686 is lodged in the Senate Transportation Committee while A-2529 is lodged in the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.