FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2010
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Sen. Rafferty to Hold Senate Hearing on Misconduct at DRPA

Calls on Treasurer McCord to Turn Over Records on Agency

Senate Transportation Committee Chair John Rafferty (R-44) said his committee will hold a public hearing in September to further probe widespread allegations of mismanagement, fraud and political patronage at the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), stressing that "a long-term solution is needed to clean up decades of abuse."

Rafferty, who has been holding a series of hearings on transportation-related issues this summer, said the hearing is crucial to probing allegations of misconduct and poor management practices that have existed under the current and previous governors' watch and restoring public confidence in the agency.  The hearings are being held in cooperation with Senate Republican Leadership who are supportive of the reform efforts.

"Before we can make long-term, systemic changes we have to have a proper and thorough review," Rafferty said.  "Fearing this kind of scrutiny, the DRPA has proposed a series of 'empty and misleading  reforms' – many of which are practices that should have been in place already and others which have no accountability standards.  These changes have been proposed, in my mind, to calm the growing media storm without implementing strong safeguards that will lead to real reform."

Rafferty called on State Treasurer Rob McCord, who serves on the bistate authority, to make available at the upcoming Senate hearings, all documents that he has requested and received from the DRPA.  This includes specific details on car allowances, free E-Z Pass transponders, hiring practices, patronage issues, and how contracts are awarded.  On July 23, the Treasurer submitted a 3 page, 16 point inquiry to the DRPA, covering a wide range of issues, including conflicts of interests, outside employment of management, financial interests of Commissioners and economic development projects.  A response to this inquiry is due Monday, August 9th.

"It is our intent to ensure that the DRPA comes under the jurisdiction of the Senate and House and Transportation Committees so we can review current practices and establish standards to prevent future misconduct," Rafferty said.  "The attempt by DRPA to rush 'so-called reforms' is both premature and misleading and will not stop the Senate from conducting a thorough and bipartisan review of the agency."

He said a number of changes proposed by DRPA are either already in current law or miss the point from a management perspective. And other areas of concern are not even addressed.

"Most significantly, there are no clear and direct prohibition against Commissioners, executive level employees and immediate family members thereof from having a financial interest in any DRPA contractor or grant recipient," Rafferty said.  "This is one of the areas that has led to so much controversy and yet it is not even addressed."

He said the September hearing will give legislators a chance to ask tough questions and review internal documents that could lead to comprehensive changes to policies at the agency.

CONTACT: Mark Meyer (717) 787-1398