Isnt that an extraordinary thing? he asked. The Justice Department filed court documents in August that sided with New Jersey and argued that leaving the commission would allow the state to "exercise its full sovereign authority." Sponsors charged that the agency had over-regulated business at the port to justify its existence, while engaging in enforcement activities they claimed were hurting the states economic interests. The two states created the Waterfront Commission in 1953 to fight crime and regulate employment at the ports. Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, unilateral withdrawal from the watchdog agency, has already become a presence in the port areas, pushed back on the states requests for information, ruling that the governor and the state Legislature, cannot simply decide on its own to end a nearly 70-year-old compac, it would no longer pay millions in annual charges. Chris Christie signed a law to pull the state out of the commission. Gov. INTERNAL POSITIONS ONLY. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. [6][7], WCPD uses marked police patrol cars (such as Ford Explorer[8]), command centre vehicles[9] and boats for water work. Others, though, say an even higher stakes battle might be at hand. Whether New Jersey police are equipped to handle the job could become a new flashpoint. The Waterfront Commission is staffed by commission attorneys who are trained in various law enforcement and police investigative techniques. In light of the complete transformation of the harbor since the 1950s, the New Jersey Legislature determined that there was no longer a continuing need for bi-state regulation of the overwhelmingly New Jersey-centered port activity, and that New Jersey should resume state regulation of its docks, the state Attorney Generals office wrote. The Waterfront Commission declined to comment. If not, that would open the door to an ongoing fight should New York go to court to seek an injunction. The Waterfront Commission declined comment on Monday. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday handed New Jersey a victory in its effort to abolish the 70-year-old Waterfront Commission, declining to intervene for now in whether the state can leave the bi-state agency tasked with keeping the ports around New York Harbor free of organized crime. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Additionally, in 1953, about 20-percent of all exports and imports came through Red Hook, Brooklyn and Chelsea, New York. The bi-state agency was founded in 1953 by a Congressional authorized compact between New York and New Jersey "for the purpose of eliminating various evils on the waterfront in the Port of New York Harbor." Those supporters also showered state lawmakers with political contributions over the years. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The governor is pleased with the Supreme Courts decision to reject the Waterfront Commissions appeal, the governors spokesperson Michael Zhadanovsky said in a statement Monday. Cargo ships docked in Port Newark in December 2021.Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. January 18, 2023. Rather, the justices were most interested in the sovereign powers of states involved in a bi-state commission, and the minutiae of contract and compact law used to create the commission. The report detailed extensive illegal, corrupt and unethical behavior on the part of Waterfront Commission staff. WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court seemed ready Wednesday to allow New Jersey to withdraw from a commission the state created decades ago with New York to combat the mob's influence at their joint port. Description. Granting a motion by New York to stop the state from terminating the nearly 70-year-old compact ratified by Congress that created the Waterfront Commission, the high court in a brief written order also declared that the state could not simply walk away from its responsibilities to fund the commission. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson signaled that she was unconvinced that the 70-year-old agreement between the two states was meant to be binding forever. In essence they New York docksparticularly in Red Hook, Brooklyncurrently handle a sliver of the New York Harbor and port trade compared to New Jerseys estimated 80 to 90 percent. Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar said while the compact was silent on the matter of whether either state could unilaterally withdraw, she said the agreement was structured and funded in such a way that the continuing cooperation of each state was necessary for the Waterfront Commission to function effectively. Chris Christie in his final week in office, even though he had once vetoed it as unconstitutional. But its enforcement efforts in recent years led to mounting political pressure in Trenton, with the New York Shipping Association and International Longshoremens Association arguing that the commission had long overstepped its authority. Vale also argued that the bistate nature of the compact was crucial to its function. New Jersey began the process of withdrawing from the Waterfront Commission in 2018 as some state lawmakers made the case that the commission The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The State Police is planning to take over law enforcement activities in New Jersey's ports by March 28.Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. The primary goals of the compact were to police local organized crime and end corruption at shipping terminals in the two states, ultimately replacing the daily shape-up (in which prospective workers forcibly competed against one another to secure work despite union membership status) with a state-run employment center. a lower court ruling that sided with New Jerseys argument. WCNYH Background Information Questionnaire. The U.S. Supreme Court will not intervene in New Jerseys efforts to kill the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor a bi-state agency created more than 65 years ago to police the regions ports ending for now a years-long legal fight over the policing of the ports of New York and New Jersey. June 24, 2019. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). That sets up a three-month transfer period where some of the duties of the commission are assumed by the state. And on Friday, the shipping industry said it would no longer pay millions in annual charges to the commission, pointing to the states position that it would not be able to operate legally without a quorum. As New York admits, there is nothing in the plain text of the compact that expressly limits New Jerseys withdrawal, Feigenbaum said. The commission, which was created by New York and New Jersey in response to the deep-rooted corruption once prevalent on the docks, has jurisdiction over all the regions piers and terminals. The commission's formation followed by several decades the creation of the vastly bigger Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees transportation infrastructure in the region. WebThey claim the Waterfront Commission has run for many years without accountability and transparency about the use of public funds. The two-member commission with one commissioner from each state oversees licensing and inspections at the Port of New York and New Jersey and has its own police force. The two FBI special agents in charge of the New York and Newark field offices wrote that the agencys own work with the commission shows the continued influence of the Genovese and Gambino organized crime families over the International Longshoremens Association and waterfront businesses.. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. 2023 www.northjersey.com. After a federal judge struck down the New Jersey law ruling that the governor and the state Legislature could not simply walk away from its agreement with New York the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the ruling. Indicted in Operation Fistful by Division of Criminal Justice & Waterfront Commission. The bi-state agency was founded in New Jerseys arguments have been bolstered by the U.S. Office of the Solicitor General, which argues the governments position for the federal Justice Department in cases before the Supreme Court and was specifically asked by the court to weigh in on this one. Chief Justice John Roberts at one point during argument said it seemed to him that after 70 years of the Waterfront Commission's operation it's going to take a long time and hard work to kind of unravel all of this if New Jersey wants to walk away. Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. If you dont believe me, go to the website of the supposed non-profit, Open, There are many things that set New York City apartits spirit, grit, bustle and community boards. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). We look forward to an orderly transition from the Commission to the New Jersey State Police.. The letter included Civil Service classification questionnaires to anyone seeking to transfer onto the New Jersey payroll as employees of the State Police. At another point, however, Roberts distinguished the Port Authority from the Waterfront Commission, which he called a "very important but relatively small enterprise dealing with a particular problem. Roberts suggested to Judith Vale, who was arguing on behalf of New York, that it would be not that disruptive for New Jersey to withdraw. Chris Christie signed the bill in his final week in office, though once vetoing it as unconstitutional, and the commission fought the states action through the federal courts. The unraveling of the Waterfront Commission will start now, and its duties will be taken over by the (New Jersey) State Police, he said. WCPD),[4] with state-certified peace officers that provide law enforcement services to the WCNYH areas. For unlimited access to her work covering the regions transportation systems and how they affect your commute,please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. [The states] would understand that when you do a compact, and you dont say anything express about termination, that you are sticking together until you jointly decide to end it, she said in response to questioning by Chief Justice John Roberts. WebWaterfront Commission of New York Harbor 3.8 out of 5 stars.3.8 4 reviews Write a review Snapshot Why Join Us Jobs 4 Reviews 2 Salaries 3 Q&A Interviews Photos Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor Careers and Employment About the company Company size 51 to 200 Headquarters New York Link Waterfront Murphy nominated Jennifer Davenport to represent New Jersey on the commission earlier this month and is awaiting Senate confirmation. Vale pushed back, suggesting the commission, which employs about 70 people, makes it harder for corruption and undue influence to succeed.. The language of the compact creating the commission does not specifically address whether either state can decide on its own to withdraw. The Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor was created to address racketeering and unfair hiring practices at the jointly run Port of New York and New Jersey. It asked for details on their current positions and resumes. Justice Samuel Alito questioned her on that point. Phil Murphy issued a statement applauding Feigenbaum and the attorneys for an "outstanding" job making the state's case. The state plans to withdraw from the commission and turn over its policing role to the New Jersey State Police. This applies to the appointment of commissioners and the approval of each state of the agencys operating budget. Phil Murphy was sworn in, the Waterfront Commission sued the governor to stop him from submitting the formal notice needed to leave the commission. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The US Supreme Court seemed likely to say that New Jersey can walk away from an interstate agreement over the objection of its neighbor New York. And unlike in most cities, NYC residents have a unique opportunity to weigh in regularly on their neighborhoods actions and developments, thanks to, After the revelation last month about a provocative letter sent by some Gowanus Superfund Community Advisory Group (CAG) to EPA heads, some thought that the next monthly meeting would be filled with fireworks (see our last issue). She noted the bistate agreements silence on the matter of whether the states intended for this to continue forever, or that they would jointly agree to leave, but that one couldnt decide Im done and out. . Marlon Brando in the 1954 motion picture "On the Waterfront." The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port complex located on the East Coast of North America. [20][1], The Supreme Court has paused New Jersey's withdrawal from the compact creating the commission until it has addressed the merits of an injunction filed by the State of New York.[21][22]. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin and New York Solicitor General Barbara Underwood were in the courtroom, though New York Attorney General Letitia James was not. In laymans terms, New Jersey argues that the Waterfront Commission hinders harbor business and causes labor shortages with a lengthy hiring process. Vale made a last attempt during her rebuttal to convince the justices of the commission's essential role in the region, saying that as recently as 2006 the compact governing the commission was amended by both states to strengthen the organization's work and therefore the two states should work together to determine the commission's future. Elena Kagan, who also grew up in New York, was similarly skeptical of the state's argument as was the court's only member from New Jersey, Justice Samuel Alito. Lesniak was jubilant about the Supreme Courts move and predicted a quick end to the Waterfront Commission, in part because he doesnt think New York has lifted much of a finger to fight yet. In its filing, the commission said the courts cannot read a nonexistent unilateral withdrawal term into the compact just because New Jersey thinks that structure would have made more sense.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. On December 8, 2020, the Waterfront Commission attorneys filed their petition for a Writ of Certiorari in the Supreme Court. Gov. The two-member commission with one commissioner from each state oversees licensing and inspections at the Port of New York and New Jersey and has its The justices will decide the case in the coming months. VIDEO: Supreme Court justices question Bidens authority on student loan forgiveness, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Protecting the safety of New Yorkers and our vital industries is my top priority, and we cannot afford to lose the Waterfront Commissions unique authority and expertise in combating crime at our port, said New York Governor Kathy Hochul on March 14, 2022, when New York filed legal action in the Supreme Court to block New Jersey from terminating the Waterfront Commission. New Jersey argued that its state police force could take over the commission's work of vetting and licensing union labor. 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