Penn Pike says secretary Biehler recently named chairman (PERSONNEL)

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says that the state secretary of transportation Allen Biehler "was recently named chairman..." We looked at Governor Rendell's news releases to see if he'd named Biehler. Nothing. Apparently the Commission "names" its own. In this case Biehler as state secretary of transportation was already an ex-officio commissioner.

The news release also makes public that "two commissioners retained leadership posts as part of a commission reorganization approved at its bimonthly meeting last week."

Timothy J Carson who has been acting chairman following the departure of chairman Mitchell Rubin is back as vice-chair.  And J William Lincoln, despite reports of serious health problems is back as secretary-treasurer.

The last chairman Mitchell Rubin was dismissed by Governor Rendell after the conviction of the former Turnpike patron senator Vincent Fumo on scores of counts of corruption, along with Rubin's wife Ruth. Rubin himself was named in the US indictments as having received $150k in no-work fees from Fumo controlled state funds.

The Turnpike press release quotes Biehler as promising "to improve transparency in how toll income is used..."

"Pennsylvanians today expect more openness from government than ever before." they quote Biehler. "This fiscal year alone, the turnpike is on track to spend $386 million on roadway projects as part of a capital-improvement plan, and we owe it to toll-paying motorists to clearly explain how we're spending their money."

The Turnpike says transparency was strengthened last year with the introduction of an online Electronic Bidding System (https://ebs.paturnpike.com/). They note there is more at "Doing Business with the PTC."

Biehler is also quoted: "Construction, engineering and professional-services agreements are a vital element in operating, maintaining and improving the turnpike system, and the public deserves easy access to this and other information. I salute the commission for posting contracts online, and I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to explore new ways the turnpike can be an innovator for integrity in government."

There is still a vacancy on the five-person commission following Rubin's ouster. Governor Rendell has to fill the position with a person who must be confirmed by the state senate. The appointed members serve 4 year terms (unless dismissed by the Governor for corruption).

TOLLROADSnews 2009-05-13