A bill proposed this month by Gov. Ned Lamont would rename the Connecticut Port Authority and essentially absorb the group into the state’s airport authority. The bill calls for identifying the port authority as the “Connecticut Maritime Authority” and making it a subsidiary of the airport group, according to a copy of the act provided to The Day on Tuesday. Under the proposed new management system, the airport authority’s board would also serve as the new maritime authority’s board of directors. The airport authority’s executive director would also serve as chief administrative officer for the new maritime group. Board Chairman David Kooris said the port authority has always been challenged by its small size as the CAA’s approximately 160 direct employees far outnumber the port authority’s handful of paid staff members. He said the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee will likely hold a public hearing on the governor’s bill by March 15 with details on the proposal to be “fleshed out” in the coming weeks.
https://www.theday.com/local-news/20240220/port-authority-board-members-push-back-on-lamonts-merger-proposal/