We should note one real win for Gov. Hochul in the budget: She got the soft-on-crime Legislature to OK to a New York-only mob-busting waterfront commission after Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy killed the old bistate panel.
For much of a century, the Waterfront Commission was central to successful prosecutions against organized crime in and around local ports, as well as to ensuring fair employment.
But Murphy killed it in 2023, selling out to International Longshoremen’s Association and inviting the mob back into Jersey’s ports.
Getting a commission to keep organized crime out of the Port of New York is an important victory for dockworkers, shippers and, ultimately, consumers.
The new commission will do background checks and license companies and individuals working in the shipping industry at the New York port.
Sadly, the ILA got New York lawmakers to limit the commission somewhat: It must consult with employers and unions in a review of its regulations, and can’t suspend port workers who “without unlawful purpose” consort with known criminals.
Phil Murphy has guaranteed that the mob will again rule Jersey’s ports; cross your fingers that the Legislature’s mindless pandering to unions doesn’t let it take over New York’s waterfront.
