The bill by Rep. Joe Emrick would require an annual financial and management audit, and provide the governor
State Rep. Joe Emrick says he's hoping the third time is the charm.
Emrick's legislation authorizing annual audits and greater state oversight of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously Monday.
Emrick, R-Northampton, said the same bill was approved in the last two legislative sessions, but each time died in the Senate.
He said a similar piece of legislation aimed at reforms of the Delaware River Port Authority -- another bi-state agency -- could help give traction to the toll bridge commission bill this session.
The DRPA reform package is sponsored by Sen. John Rafferty Jr., R-Montgomery, who is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.
"I'm hopeful that we can push both pieces of legislation through together and I hope that would happen this fall," Emrick said.
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Emrick first proposed his legislation after the toll bridge commission raised commuter tolls to $1 in 2011. He renewed his calls for greater oversight earlier this year after a $6.32 million construction contract was awarded to the company that employs the commission's chairman.
The toll bridge commission anticipates 2015 revenues of about $124 million.
"I think it's appropriate to have an independent set of eyes on what's going on," Emrick said. "It's a continuation of the efforts we started in 2011 to have oversight, transparency and accountability for what goes on at the bridge commission.
"It's a lot of money that comes out of the pockets of very hard-working people and businesses to pay those tolls. I don't see an issue with the accountability factor of it."
The bill would require an annual financial and management audit performed jointly by the auditor generals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
It also would give Pennsylvania's governor power to veto any actions by commission members from Pennsylvania within 10 days of the action. The commission is comprised of 10 members, five from each state.
New Jersey has already approved toll bridge reform legislation. Emrick's proposal mirrors that. Because the commission is a bi-state agency, both states must approve changes to the agreement that governs the commission's operations.
Toll bridge commission spokesman Joe Donnelly said the commission doesn't comment on legislation.
The Delaware River Port Authority legislation, Senate Bill 286, passed the Senate this year and is now with the House Transportation Committee.
Nolan Ritchie, a spokesman for Rafferty and the Senate Transportation Committee, said the committee is on track to consider the toll bridge commission bill.
"It is our understanding that the intention of Rep. Emrick's bill is comparable to the reforms that Senator Rafferty has proposed for the Delaware River Port Authority," he said. "It would make sense we would review and consider Rep. Emrick's bill as well."
The toll bridge commission oversees 19 free and toll bridges between Delaware Water Gap and Trenton.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
