Pa. Senate panel questions DRPA leaders
HARRISBURG - A Pennsylvania state Senate committee opened hearings Wednesday into the management of the Delaware River Port Authority, as lawmakers try to limit the bistate authority's powers.
HARRISBURG - A Pennsylvania state Senate committee opened hearings Wednesday into the management of the Delaware River Port Authority, as lawmakers try to limit the bistate authority's powers.
At its morning session, the Senate Transportation Committee questioned DRPA chairman John Estey and chief executive John Matheussen about economic-development spending, hiring, political influence and free tolls for employees.
And state Treasurer Rob McCord, who is a member of the DRPA board, urged the Senate panel to seek systemic changes, and he called for Matheussen to be replaced.
This afternoon, the committee is to hear from dueling Pennsylvania board members Frank DiCicco, a Philadelphia city councilman, and John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, a Philadelphia labor leader. State auditor general Jack Wagner, another board member, will also testify about his efforts to make changes at the DRPA.
Transportation committee chairman Sen. John Rafferty Jr. (R., Montgomery) is seeking state legislation to change the federal compact that governs the DRPA. That would require approval by the legislatures and governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as Congressional approval and the signature of President Obama.
In the Pennsylvania state House, Rep. Mike Vereb (R., Montgomery) is pushing similar legislation, in concert with New Jersey Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco (R., Gloucester/Camden).
The lawmakers want to take away the DRPA's ability to spend money on economic development and they want to revamp the makeup of the DRPA board to give state legislatures more control. Currently, the governors of the two states appoint all the board members, except for two seats held by the treasurer and auditor general of Pennsylvania.
