MTA, Port Authority Spared Amid Mass Resignations

The directors of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey were not part of the mass of resignations requested by the Paterson administration.

The Times Union reported today that Governor Paterson’s staff has asked all directors and commissioners to put in their letters of resignation so as to give the new governor more flexibility in shaping his administration. The resignations do not mean the governor will clean house, the administration told the paper, as most of the officials are expected to keep their positions.

Two weeks ago, the governor was said to ask all the commissioners to stay on and withhold any resignations.

Spokespeople for M.T.A. executive director Elliot "Lee" Sander and Port Authority executive director Anthony Shorris said neither official was asked to submit a letter. The two public authorities generally act more independently than typical state agencies, though the directors are appointed by the governor.