Republican backbench move to abolish Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Five Republican state representatives appeared at a press conference today in Harrisburg to announce the filing of a bill to abolish the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and transfer its assets and functions to the state department of transportation. The bill H2134 was filed by Rep Mike Vereb, 150th District covering Montgomery County on the northwest side of the Philadelphia metro area. Immediately signing on in support were Rep Scott Hutchinson (Repub Verango-Butler), Rep Matt Gabler (Repub Clearfield-Elk), Rep Donna Oberlander (Repub Clarion-Armstrong) and Rep Mike Turzal (Repub Allegheny).

In a statement the bill's sponsor Vereb said: "Eliminating the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will help to lessen the stigma of political patronage and corruption and will bring more accountability to the management of the turnpike."  
 
“We need to put an end to the backroom politics as usual mentality and the public perception that all state government is corrupt. I came into office three years ago on a reform platform, and I will continue to fight for more transparency and accountability in state government. The fact that the Turnpike Commission is widely known as a pit of political patronage is a completely unacceptable reputation for any state government agency to have.”

"Cloud of corruption and scandal"

Vereb's statement said that over the past year, the Turnpike Commission has been "shrouded in a cloud of corruption and scandal."

He said recent reports have confirmed that a state grand jury is investigating the Turnpike Commission’s procurement process.

"The commission is currently under investigation for play-to-pay contracts, including a construction project costing more than $170 million in the Valley Forge Area that was originally bid at $90 million. Other reports of unprofessional conduct include former Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin. 

"During the public corruption trial involving former Senator Vince Fumo (Dem Philadelphia) it was revealed that Rubin had a contract with the state and did little to no work for the salary received. Rubin, a personal friend of Fumo’s, was eventually removed from the position after Fumo was found guilty."
 
PennDOT to get control

Under Vereb’s legislation, the responsibility and daily management of the turnpike would go to a deputy secretary of toll administration under PennDOT. That person would be required to have a civil engineering degree and at least 10 years’ experience designing and building highways.
 
 Vereb went on to claim that the the turnpike commission is "top heavy, with too many managers directing few employees."
 
PennDOT, he said, is run by seven executives and manages more than 41,000 miles of roadway - one executive for every 5,857 miles of state roadway.

By comparison, the Representative said, the Turnpike Commission has nine executives and is in charge of 545 miles of roadway - one executive for every 60 miles of roadway on the turnpike.

"Also, PennDOT uses internal staff to act as government liaisons with the General Assembly, whereas the Turnpike Commission hires contract lobbyists at significant cost."   
 
To protect the pike workers

Vereb’s legislation would, he said, only cut upper tier management positions: "All other turnpike jobs will remain intact."
 
He called the The Turnpike Commission is "an outdated and antiquated agency" adding:

“There is absolutely no reason why we should have two government organizations dealing with transportation issues. The common goal of improving Pennsylvania’s transportation networks can be done under the management of one state agency. By moving the oversight of the turnpike under PennDOT, we will cut down on government bureaucracy, decrease administrative costs and bring more accountability to the people of this Commonwealth (state).”   
 
If House Bill 2134 were signed into law, PennDOT would be required to honor existing Turnpike labor contracts.

The state would assume the debt of the Turnpike Commission.

"Uphill battle" to get bill passed

Vereb acknowledged getting his bill enacted will be an "uphill battle," saying: "I was elected by my constituents to stand up for what’s right and fight the good fight,."

Vereb continued: “Real reform means making tough choices to change the way business is done in Harrisburg. It is time to stand up and make important changes to bring accountability and transparency to how state government operates.”

Other turnpike abolitions, reorganizations

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is the oldest of the major automobile era state toll authorities and was founded in 1937. The Turnpike opened in 1940 captured the national imagination. Maine Turnpike followed in 1947 and in the next decade a slew of others were formed to build major tollroads. 

They remain in New Jersey, New York (called a Thruway Authority), Ohio, Kansas, Illinois (called a Tollway Authority), West Virginia (called a Parkways Authority), and Maryland (called a Transportation Authority).

North Carolina got a brand new Turnpike Authority just a couple of years back.

Rhode Island has a Turnpike & Bridge Authority with just a toll bridge, no turnpike - never had one (There wasn't room.)

Other state toll authorities that have been abolished include ones in Connecticut, Texas, Delaware, Florida, and Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Turnpike was abolished just this fall on the initiative of the governor and with bipartisan support following a dcade of scandals over administration of the untolled $14b Big Dig project. The Turnpike and its toll tunnels were turned over to the state DOT - as proposed by Rep Vereb and his colleagues in Pennsylvania.

In the case of Texas the Turnpike's assets were transferred to a regional body in Dallas-Fort Worth - the North Texas Tollway Authority. In the case of Florida a Turnpike Enterprise while formally within the state DOT has substantial autonomy.

In Connecticut the turnpike was detolled and is run as a tax-supported highway. So were turnpikes in Kentucky.

New Hampshire DOT has a Bureau of Turnpikes. The Indiana Turnpike was run by a Turnpike branch of the state DOT in its last years before being privatized. It is now run as a 75 year concession by a Cintra-Macquarie partnership.

On Vereb, sponsor of the abolition bill see http://www.repvereb.com/

TOLLROADSnews 2009-12-08 (SMALL REVISIONS 2009-12-09 10:00)