THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY CONKLIN, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CREIGHTON, DALEY, DePASQUALE, FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GABLER, GERGELY, GROVE, HARKINS, HORNAMAN, HUTCHINSON, JOSEPHS, KAVULICH, M. O'BRIEN AND SCHRODER, MAY 11, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MAY 11, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to

conduct a performance audit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike

Commission.

WHEREAS, The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is a

bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency established by

statute to study the revenues, expenditures and fiscal problems

of the Commonwealth, its officers, boards, committees,

commissions, institutions and other State agencies and

consisting of 12 members of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Through the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the

Commonwealth operates the 545-mile turnpike system; and

WHEREAS, According to commission records, the Pennsylvania

Turnpike is used by approximately one-half million vehicles per

day and has operating revenues of more than $700 million per

year; and

WHEREAS, While the Pennsylvania Turnpike receives no Federal

or State tax dollars to operate and maintain its toll road

system, fares paid by turnpike ridership are due prudent

stewardship and must be spent in the manner most appropriate for

the common good; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Turnpike plays a crucial role in

this Commonwealth's interstate and intrastate commerce and

travel; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has recently

suffered stigma related to allegations of ongoing political

patronage and questionable operating practices; and

WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of every Pennsylvanian

that the operation of the Pennsylvania Turnpike be above

reproach; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the

Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a

performance audit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; and

be it further 

RESOLVED, That the performance audit address whether the

Department of Transportation could more efficiently operate the

Pennsylvania Turnpike; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the performance audit examine the annual

operational costs of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, determine an

appropriate management to staff ratio and issue recommendations

to eliminate waste, fraud and inefficiency; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the performance audit include initiatives,

policies and best practices of similarly situated states' toll

road programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

report the results of the audit within 180 days after the

passage of this resolution to the Speaker of the House of

Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of

Representatives.