Gabler Joins Call to Abolish
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
HARRISBURG - State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) stood with House Republican colleagues Tuesday at a news conference calling for the abolishment of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. The event was held to introduce legislation authored by Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery).
"In our search for funding sources to support Pennsylvania's transportation needs, my opinion from day one has been to explore and exhaust all possibilities for streamlining and saving as opposed to automatically tapping taxpayers, as tolling Interstate 80 does," Gabler said. "The dissolution of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission not only falls in line with my pursuit of more accountable and efficient state government, but does away with an agency that has been shrouded in controversy and a drag on the public trust."
Gabler cited the recent FBI investigation as another reason to do away with the turnpike commission.
"Even before taking office, I had heard of the Turnpike Commission's reputation for practicing political patronage," he mentioned. "If possible, the image of this agency has gotten worse with the state grand jury investigation into how they award contracts, along with allegations of unprofessional conduct and 'pay-to-play' in a Valley Forge construction project that has gone over budget."
House Bill 2134 would roll responsibilities for managing and maintaining the turnpike into a newly-created deputy secretary position with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
"The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's set-up and operating procedures are symbolic of the waste that bogs down government and belies the public trust," added Gabler. "They employ more executives than PennDOT does, while managing significantly fewer miles of highway and utilizing costly contract lobbyists to interact with the General Assembly. The savings in taxpayer dollars alone is reason enough to do away with the commission."
Gabler says abolishing the turnpike commission should also hit home with Clearfield and Elk County residents who oppose tolling of Interstate 80.
"It is my understanding that tolling of I-80 under Act 44 can take place only through an application submitted by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission," Gabler commented. "Doing away with the commission ties the hands of the Federal Highway Administration and prevents the institution of tolls. In the interim, we can hopefully find even more efficient ways to fund our state's transportation needs."
In applauding the Vereb legislation, Gabler stressed the need for relationships like these that cross county lines.
"Part of effective state government is building coalitions and reaching beyond the boundaries of your district," he said. "A significant part of this is a member from southeastern Pennsylvania reaching out to representatives from the I-80 corridor to achieve savings for taxpayers and trim the fat in Harrisburg."
"In our search for funding sources to support Pennsylvania's transportation needs, my opinion from day one has been to explore and exhaust all possibilities for streamlining and saving as opposed to automatically tapping taxpayers, as tolling Interstate 80 does," Gabler said. "The dissolution of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission not only falls in line with my pursuit of more accountable and efficient state government, but does away with an agency that has been shrouded in controversy and a drag on the public trust."
Gabler cited the recent FBI investigation as another reason to do away with the turnpike commission.
"Even before taking office, I had heard of the Turnpike Commission's reputation for practicing political patronage," he mentioned. "If possible, the image of this agency has gotten worse with the state grand jury investigation into how they award contracts, along with allegations of unprofessional conduct and 'pay-to-play' in a Valley Forge construction project that has gone over budget."
House Bill 2134 would roll responsibilities for managing and maintaining the turnpike into a newly-created deputy secretary position with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
"The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's set-up and operating procedures are symbolic of the waste that bogs down government and belies the public trust," added Gabler. "They employ more executives than PennDOT does, while managing significantly fewer miles of highway and utilizing costly contract lobbyists to interact with the General Assembly. The savings in taxpayer dollars alone is reason enough to do away with the commission."
Gabler says abolishing the turnpike commission should also hit home with Clearfield and Elk County residents who oppose tolling of Interstate 80.
"It is my understanding that tolling of I-80 under Act 44 can take place only through an application submitted by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission," Gabler commented. "Doing away with the commission ties the hands of the Federal Highway Administration and prevents the institution of tolls. In the interim, we can hopefully find even more efficient ways to fund our state's transportation needs."
In applauding the Vereb legislation, Gabler stressed the need for relationships like these that cross county lines.
"Part of effective state government is building coalitions and reaching beyond the boundaries of your district," he said. "A significant part of this is a member from southeastern Pennsylvania reaching out to representatives from the I-80 corridor to achieve savings for taxpayers and trim the fat in Harrisburg."
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