Gov. Ed Rendell joined New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner, Pennsylvania Treasurer Robert McCord and Commissioner John Dougherty in calling for reforms to the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Thursday.
“The continuing controversy surrounding the issuance of free rides and other "perks" demand that additional steps must be taken to restore public confidence in the administration of the DRPA,” Mr. Rendell wrote in a letter to DRPA Chairman John Estey and Vice Chairman Jeffery Nash. “I understand that the DRPA's management is supportive of these proposals, and I urge you to enact the reforms outlined herein as quickly as possible.”
At the center of the controversy is the alleged misuse of an ex-coworker’s free E-Z Pass – one of the perks of working at the DRPA – by the agency’s top law enforcement official, Michael Joyce. This prompted questions regarding employee compensation, the practice of awarding no-bid contracts and the agency’s closed-door meetings.
Mr. Joyce resigned his position as head of public safety Wednesday.
Mr. Rendell proposed 16 reforms he says are based on discussions with Mr. Estey and Mr. Nash. These suggestions include ending no-bid contracts and putting all contracts to a public vote, allowing a compensation review study to find appropriate levels of compensation for all DRPA senior managers, strengthening the Board’s Conflict of Interest Policy; and require Pennsylvania commissioners to file financial statements under the Governor's Code of Conduct and the State Ethics Act. New Jersey commissioners already do so under New Jersey ethics laws.
“I recognize again that the DRPA has implemented a series of important reforms in recent years that have significantly improved the efficiency and transparency of the Authority's operations. But I also believe that the proposals set forth here are critically important to the task of restoring public confidence in the DRPA, its Board and management,” Mr. Rendell wrote. “The Authority should always focus on its mission – to serve the public efficiently and effectively.”
Tuesday Mr. Wagner called for 10 separate categories of reform of the bistate commission managing four toll bridges between Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the Port Authority Transit Corporation commuter rail line. Following Mr. Wagner’s statement, Mr. McCord’s requested financial and contractual information Saturday. July 20, one of Pennsylvania’s six commissioners, John Dougherty, questioned the agency’s business practices.
The DRPA Board of Officers and Commissioners is made up of 16 members, eight appointed by the governor of New Jersey, six appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Treasurer and the Pennsylvania Auditor General.
Matt Coyne is an intern at the PA Independent. He can be reached at intern@paindependent.com
