The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently advanced a bill that would tighten control over the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission’s (DRJTBC) activities.
Under House Bill 607, Pennsylvania’s auditor general and New Jersey’s state auditor would be permitted an annual, joint audit of the DRJTBC’s finances and management operations.
The bill also gives Pennsylvania’s governor veto power over decisions made by the Pennsylvania commissioners.
“I think it is absolutely egregious that the DRJTBC would enact a toll increase while Pennsylvanians and our businesses are still suffering financially due to the pandemic,” state Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Northampton), who introduced the bill, said. “My legislation would allow the governor to oversee and review all actions made by the commission and create another level of checks and balances, especially since their decisions would affect travel between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is critical to provide full transparency of the commission’s finances. I want to thank my colleagues for their continued support and hope that the Senate will bring this bill up for consideration in the coming weeks.”
Emrick also recently filed a Right to Know request into the DRJTBC’s current financial status, its cost-cutting measures during the pandemic, and its current cash reserves. He has yet to receive a response.