The facts are in—N.J. Gov Chris Christie did not know of the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, much less order them, according to an internal report commissioned by the governor himself that did not interview any of the key witnesses.
Attorney Randy M. Mastro, the lead attorney of the firm who produced the $1 million report paid by N.J. taxpayers clearing Gov. Christie of any wrongdoing in what is called a lane "realignment" and laying the blame on Bridget Kelly, a deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office, sounds like a defense attorney making his case to a jury, according to The New York Times.
In addition to clearing Christie in the illegal September closure of access lanes to Fort Lee, N.J. now known as "Bridge-gate," the 360-page report (see key excerpts) which some skeptics have likened to Christie's defense papers when "two probes from likely less-friendly investigators: the Democratic-controlled state Legislature and federal prosecutors," are released, dismissed "Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s allegations that the Christie administration withheld Hurricane Sandy aid in an effort to help a private developer", calling those charges "unsubstantiated, 'demonstrably false,” and 'unbelievable',” writes Ted Sherman.
As of Friday (March 28) morning, responses to The Star-Ledger's poll about Christie's presidential ambitions, "Will new Christie bridge scandal report help remove doubt about 2016?," showed that the public does not appear to place much faith in the report, with 86.71% voting "No".
FULL STORY: Christie bridge scandal: Internal report clears governor, calls for Port Authority restructuring
Bridgegate Winding Down
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie was never charged in the scandal that shut down access to the nation's busiest bridge for three days in September 2013 for political retribution. His aide and an appointment to the Port Authority were sentenced to prison.
Bridgegate Implications for New Jersey and Beyond
In The New York Times Sunday Review, Matt Katz, a political reporter for WNYC and New Jersey Public Radio, gives an update on the federal trial for 'Bridgegate' and also paints a bleak picture for New Jersey, and maybe the United States.
'Bridge-Gate' Attorneys Make Their Case: You Can't Sue Over Traffic
Attorneys representing the state of New Jersey responded to the allegations of a class action lawsuit rising from the "bridge-gate" scandal.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association