Posted: | March 15, 2013 11:51 AM |
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From: | Representative Donna Oberlander |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Eliminating the PA Turnpike Commission Legislation |
I plan to soon introduce legislation, previously introduced at House Bill 76 by Representative Jim Christiana, which would shift all of the Turnpike’s operations, maintenance, construction and reconstruction powers and duties to PennDOT and the issuance and payment of bonds to the State Treasurer’s office. This bill would ELIMINATE the PA Turnpike Commission and create the Bureau of Toll Administration within PennDOT. The legislation provides for minimum education and experience qualifications for a newly proposed Deputy Secretary for Toll Administration. The bill will amend the Administrative Code of 1929. PennDOT shall receive all tolls and other money payable to the Commission. The proposed legislation authorizes the Bureau to maintain and operate the PA Turnpike. PennDOT shall honor any collective bargaining agreement in existence between the commission and any employee organization. The Commonwealth shall assume the debt of the outstanding bonds of the Turnpike Commission and shall draw upon the tolls received by PennDOT for repayment of the debt. PennDOT should oversee all roadways in PA. As we address the critical issue of transportation funding, we need to eliminate inefficiencies and excess. The top-heavy Turnpike Commission employs one executive manager for every 60 miles of roadway vs. one executive manager for every 5,800 miles of roadway with PennDOT. Previous co-sponsors: CHRISTIANA, HUTCHINSON, GABLER, AUMENT, BARRAR , BENNINGHOFF, BOYD, BROOKS, CAUSER, COX, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, EVERETT, GROVE, KAUFFMAN, OBERLANDER, RAPP, REED, REESE, ROAE, SCHRODER, SIMMONS, STEVENSON, TALLMAN, VEREB, GILLEN, TRUITT and LAWRENCE |
Introduced as HB1197