Christie's letter, released five hours after Rendell's, proposed additional changes, including a requirement that all charitable contributions receive board approval so that money for "pet projects" is doled out with proper oversight.
He also wants the authority to strengthen the board's conflict-of-interest policy to make clear that commissioners and employees may not use DRPA time or resources to engage in political activities. The agency should impose a requirement that vendors and vendor principals disclose all political contributions made within the last four years, he said.
The politically connected agency has been under fire following revelations that then-public safety director Michael Joyce borrowed another official's free E-ZPass for his daughter to use on the agency's $4 bridges over 18 months.
Joyce resigned Tuesday, but the DRPA continues to draw scrutiny. Officials confirmed that the New Jersey State Comptroller's Office, which audits public agencies, on Wednesday e-mailed the authority with a request for documents.
The $300-million-a-year agency operates four toll bridges and the PATCO rail line between South Jersey and Philadelphia.
"I recognize again that the DRPA has implemented a series of important reforms in recent years that have significantly improved the efficiency and transparency of the authority's operations," Rendell wrote. "But I also believe that the proposals set forth here are critically important to the task of restoring public confidence" in the agency.
Christie said he would not hesitate to exercise his veto authority over any DRPA board action that does not conform to the changes he and Rendell have proposed.
DRPA leaders expressed support for the recommendations.
Chairman John Estey, a Philadelphia lawyer who is Rendell's former chief of staff, said the DRPA would draw up board resolutions on the proposals.
