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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2008
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Orie and Fumo Introduce Legislation Designed to Strengthen
the Turnpike's Code of Ethics
Today, Senator Vincent Fumo (D-Philadelphia) and Senator Jane Orie
(R-Allegheny) announced the introduction of legislation to expand upon the Code
of Conduct provisions contained in Act 44 of 2007.
Act 44 of 2007, passed last July to address the Commonwealth's significant
highway infrastructure and mass transit funding problems, significantly expanded
the role of the Turnpike Commission. In response to the Transportation Funding
and Reform Commission's 2006 report, which emphasized the importance of cost
savings and agency reforms in meeting the Commonwealth's transportation needs,
the Act also put in place a statutory code of conduct for the Commission and its
staff.
As Act 44 moves towards full implementation, Orie and Fumo believe it is
prudent to strengthen these ethics provisions to insure that Commonwealth
resources are maximized with regard to this important mission, and that the
entity that bears this large responsibility is more fully accountable.
Whether perception or reality, media reports have routinely criticized the
Turnpike Commission for conflicts of interest in its hiring and employment
practices. "I believe that, as the new lead agency on many transportation
issues, it is important that the Turnpike Commission vigilantly avoid even the
appearance of impropriety in its conduct," stated Orie. "This legislation will
give clearer ground rules as well as consequences for situations in which it
could be questioned that the taxpayers or tollpayers are not getting the best
deal for their money."
"The Turnpike Commission does an outstanding job when it comes to operating
and maintaining the highway. We want them to have an ethics code that also sets
a high standard of excellence throughout the entire agency," said Fumo.
Under the Fumo and Orie proposal, the new code of conduct applying to
commissioners and executive level employees would prohibit holding or seeking
party office, would restrict business, employment and contractual activity,
would prevent them from lobbying the Turnpike for one year after leaving
the agency; would guard the release of confidential Turnpike information, and
would ensure that they file financial disclosure statements and undergo ethics
training.
CONTACT:
Sen. Orie, Lee Derr
(717) 787-6538
Sen. Fumo, Gary Tuma
(717) 787-5662 | 
