PRINTER'S NO. 3302
No. 538 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY ARGALL, GEIST, McCALL, PERZEL, ARMSTRONG, BAKER,
BALDWIN, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CORNELL, CRAHALLA,
GINGRICH, GOOD, GRELL, GRUCELA, HARRIS, HERMAN, HERSHEY,
HICKERNELL, JAMES, M. KELLER, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSICO,
McGILL, McNAUGHTON, NAILOR, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PHILLIPS,
PICKETT, PYLE, RAPP, READSHAW, REED, REICHLEY, ROSS, RUBLEY,
SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, S. H. SMITH, R. STEVENSON, E. Z. TAYLOR,
TIGUE, TRUE AND WILT, DECEMBER 13, 2005
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, DECEMBER 13, 2005
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Transportation Committee to conduct an
2 investigation of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation
3 Authority.
4 WHEREAS, The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation
5 Authority (SEPTA) has recently experienced serious financial,
6 budgetary and operational problems; and
7 WHEREAS, SEPTA's funding sources and operating and capital
8 budgeting must be reviewed and consideration given to designated
9 sources of revenues in this Commonwealth for mass transit; and
10 WHEREAS, SEPTA was recently provided an additional $215
11 million in Federal highway funds for the stability of its
12 operations; and
13 WHEREAS, The taxpayers of this Commonwealth have a right to
14 expect that public funds are expended in a responsible and
15 accountable manner; and
1 WHEREAS, Public confidence in an investigation of any ongoing
2 problems incurred by SEPTA would best be served by an
3 independent investigation; therefore be it
4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
5 standing Transportation Committee to conduct an overall and
6 inclusive investigation of the operations, administration,
7 management and financial operations of SEPTA; and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That the investigation include a performance and
9 financial audit of SEPTA; and be it further
10 RESOLVED, That the committee evaluate the current structure
11 and system of performance evaluation of SEPTA and recommend a
12 comprehensive and coordinated system of program evaluation that
13 includes monitoring, impact assessment, examination of cost
14 effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That SEPTA develop a set of objectives, the goal of
16 which will be the implementation of major organizational and
17 personnel changes in management. These objectives should
18 include, but not be limited to:
19 (1) The development of productivity standards based on
20 fare box revenues.
21 (2) Implementation of a more efficient management and
22 personnel structure.
23 (3) Provision for an annual and a biennial performance
24 audit.
25 (4) The use of private sector contracts for goods and
26 services through competitive bidding.
27 (5) The modernization of scheduling so that it better
28 takes into account levels of ridership and efficiencies in
29 operation;
30 and be it further
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1 RESOLVED, That SEPTA management provide to the General
2 Assembly within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution a
3 list of its objectives for improved management and report to the
4 General Assembly quarterly on its efforts to meet the objectives
5 through the 2006-2007 State fiscal year; and be it further
6 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
7 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
8 necessary in this Commonwealth. It may issue subpoenas under the
9 hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person who appears
10 before the committee to answer questions regarding matters
11 properly being inquired into by the committee and to produce
12 such books, papers, records and documents as the committee deems
13 necessary. The subpoenas may be served on any person and shall
14 have the same effect as subpoenas issued by the courts of this
15 Commonwealth. Any person who willfully neglects or refuses to
16 testify before the committee or to produce any books, papers,
17 records or documents shall be subject to the penalties provided
18 by the laws of this Commonwealth in such case. Each member of
19 the committee shall have the power to administer oath and
20 affirmation to witnesses appearing before the committee; and be
21 it further
22 RESOLVED, That the committee may contract and consult with
23 outside parties for the purpose of conducting all or part of its
24 investigation or audit; and be it further
25 RESOLVED, That the expenses incurred by the committee in
26 carrying out its responsibilities, including expenses for any
27 contractors or consultants, be paid from appropriate accounts
28 under the control of the chief clerk; and be it further
29 RESOLVED, That the committee make a preliminary report of its
30 findings to the House of Representatives on or before March 31,
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1 2006, an interim report on or before June 1, 2006, and a final
2 report on or before September 30, 2006.
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