Debra Burlingame was on the Mike Huckabee Show this past Thursday to discuss her Wall Street Journal op-ed ‘The 9/11 Memorial Museum Held Hostage‘. Governor Huckabee asked about the Port Authority of NY/NJ demanding an additional $157 million dollars before they renew construction of the National September 11 Museum:
“They [the Port Authority of NY/NJ] insisted on a contingency fund of $90 million dollars where they would put in $45 million and the Lower Manhattan Development Company that was overseeing federal money would put in $45 million. … They haven’t even triggered that yet. They just want this money outright. They just want more money. The cost overruns that are endemic to this Port Authority project aren’t a problem with the Memorial Museum. The money that we’ve raised has been put into the project. We were near completion.”
Here is the complete audio of the interview:
After it, I asked Debra why the Port Authority had not triggered the contingency fund. She replied:
“Because it’s a shakedown. To trigger that fund, they have to present evidence of actual need. Proof of cost overruns.”
The Port Authority would lose if they submit to the fast-track mediation to resolve disputes that is in the contract.
Kudos to Governor Huckabee for covering this story. Shame on those who pass it by. I guess two political shysters lined up for a pay day is hardly news. Using the occasion of a scene of mass murder to steal cash for political posturing is beyond a descriptor. May the likes of Cuomo and Chrispie Creme be revealed to the public at large through this; they shall hoist themselves on their own petard, and it will be captured on You Tube.
I pity the fool who has the mistaken idea that they can put one over on Debra Burlingame.