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For Immediate Release
June 25, 2007
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Any Transportation Fix Must Include Turnpike
Reform Say Scarnati and Orie
 - Senator Scarnati
Senators Joseph Scarnati (R-Cameron, Elk, Jefferson) and
Jane Orie (R-Allegheny, Butler) today announced the introduction of
legislation to ensure the accountability and integrity of the Turnpike
Commission which could be charged with the provision of additional
transportation services in the future.
"In last year's election, the citizens of Pennsylvania
demanded a more open and accountable government. Such accountability is
of particular importance when government undertakes an essential public
function such as transportation," said Scarnati. "The Turnpike
Commission must be more open, more accountable and more cost effective."
Senators Scarnati and Orie's legislation would require
that the Turnpike Commission, conform its actions to appropriate
statutory standards of ethical conduct. Among other things, those
standards would prohibit conflicts of interest in contracts, and prevent
the receipt of gifts. The bill would also require a comprehensive audit
by the Auditor General every four years.
According to the Transportation Funding and Reform
Commission, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania faces a problem of crisis
proportion with regard to transportation infrastructure and mass
transit. There has also been wide media coverage of the many proposals
that have been put forth to address the problem. For example, the
Governor proposed to raise taxes and fees, and also to eliminate and
privatize the Turnpike. Others have proposed tolling additional
highways. Still others have urged the need for public-private
partnerships to operate some aspects of the transportation system,
rather than traditional government entities.
"While we believe it is vital for the General Assembly
to consider all ideas, it cannot be forgotten that the Funding and
Reform Commission also emphasized the necessary role of cost savings and
agency reforms in meeting the Commonwealth's transportation needs.
Conflicts of interest and closed-door decision-making affect the cost of
services and serve only to enrich political insiders" said Orie. "This
portion of the report has not received as much coverage, but is a
crucial component of any transportation strategy."
"Regardless of whether we toll other roads, or decide on
some other alternative, these agency reforms must occur," Scarnati
noted.
CONTACT:
Tim Nyquist (Senator Scarnati's Office)
717-787-7084
Lee Derr (Senator Orie's Office)
717-787-6538
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