Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen

518-434-3100

Payrolls of two of New York’s largest public authorities—the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and the New York State Thruway Authority—are now available at SeeThroughNY.net, the government transparency website sponsored by the Empire Center for Public Policy.

The detailed Port Authority payroll does nothing to diminish the bi-state authority’s reputation for high pay. As of May 2008, the payroll shows, 1,182 of the PA’s 7,082 employees made base salaries exceeding $100,000–including 21 whose salaries exceeded $200,000. But generous salaries aren’t limited to management ranks; for example, 18 gardeners at Port Authority’s three airports earned base pay over $63,700 a year.

The Thruway Authority has 4,260 employees, including 601 assigned to the Canal Corporation. Eighty-one employees earn base salaries of $100,000 or more.

Launched July 31, 2008, SeeThroughNY.net also includes payrolls of New York State, the Power Authority of New York and Long Island Power Authority.

In addition, the site provides access to: 1,400 contracts for teacher unions and school superintendents at nearly 733 school districts; legislative member-item grants; and legislative expenditures.