Political road well traveled
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
e-mail this
share thisEven as the Legislature and administration persist in bestowing more power upon the redundant Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the state attorney general's office has launched a criminal investigation of the agency.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported last week that the state attorney general's office has launched the investigation through a statewide grand jury based in Pittsburgh.
This investigation follows the revelation during former Sen. Vincent Fumo's corruption trial this year that former Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin allegedly had received $150,000 for a no-work consulting contract with the state Senate.
The statewide grand jury is questioning political influence over agency operations and whether political donations have a role in awarding agency contracts.
The commission always has been a patronage bastion for state politicians, and those politicians are striving to make it more so despite the inquisitiveness of state and federal prosecutors.
State officials have asked federal regulators, for the third time, to approve the establishment of tolls on Interstate 80. The proposal has been rejected twice in Washington because of its failure to meet federal standards.
The toll plan would exponentially expand the power of the commission even as criminal investigators seek to determine whether the commission has abused its existing power.
Federal regulators should hold off on any approval of I-80 tolling under the auspices of the commission at least until the investigators complete their work.
Meanwhile, lawmakers should recognize that Pennsylvania does not need two highway departments by eliminating the commission and consolidating its duties under PennDOT.
Be the first to comment on this article!