Governors call for DRPA reform

Gov. Rendell stepped up the pressure on the Delaware River Port Authority this afternoon, calling for the embattled bistate agency to allow an audit by watchdog agencies on both sides of the river and enact 15 additional proposals.

Just after 7 p.m. today, Gov. Christie released a letter of his own to the DRPA, agreeing with Rendell's proposals.

But Christie noted that Rendell's letter to the DRPA failed to include some of his ideas, which include:

Requiring that all charitable contributions be presented to the board for approval by resolution to prevent money being doled out for "pet projects" without proper oversight or board approval;

Strengthening the board's conflict-of-interest policy to make clear that commissioners and employees may not use DRPA time or resources to engage in political activities;

Requiring vendors and vendor principals to disclose all political contributions made within the past four years.

Both governors support ending car allowances and free tolls for workers. Free passage across the authority's $4 toll bridges came under fire following revelations that public safety director Michael Joyce had borrowed another official's free E-ZPass for use by his daughter for 18 months.

Joyce resigned on Tuesday, but the DRPA continues to draw scrutiny.

The New Jersey State Comptroller's Office, which audits public agencies, on Wednesday emailed the DRPA with a request for documents. Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord, a member of the authority, last week demanded an accounting of car allowances, free E-ZPass transponders, hiring of family members, awards of contracts, conflicts of interest, and pension deals.

Rendell's letter, addressed to Chairman John Estey and Vice Chairman Jeffrey Nash, proposed requiring public votes by board members on all contracts; strengthening anti-nepotism and conflict-of-interest policies; ending no-bid contracts; and imposing a "no outside employment" requirement for all employees at the level of director and above, unless approved by board resolution.

He also supported banning commissioners and employees from exerting "any undue influence" on hiring decisions and contract selection, as well as a compensation review study to determine appropriate pay for DRPA senior managers.

"I recognize again that the DRPA has implemented a series of important reforms in recent years that have significantly improved the efficiency and transparency of the authority's operations," Rendell wrote. "But I also believe that the proposals set forth here are critically important to the task of restoring public confidence" in the agency.

Christie pressed the need for immediate action, saying he would not hesitate to exercise his veto authority over any DRPA board action that does not conform to the reforms he and Rendell have proposed.

DRPA leaders expressed support for the recommendations.

Estey, who is the Rendell's former chief of staff, said the DRPA would draw up board resolutions on all of the governor's proposals. Though the authority's next board meeting is not scheduled for three weeks, Estey suggested that the DRPA meet beforehand to seek input on the reforms from commissioners and the public.

Nash said he, Estey and the governors of New Jersey and Pennsylvania have been working together on the same initiatives.

"The goal is to make sure that our customers, the toll-payers and fare-payers, feel comfortable knowing that their hard-earned money has been spent effectively, efficiently and prudently," Nash said.

He said the DRPA had enacted other changes in recent years, such as eliminating the use of new toll money for economic development projects, and "this goes to the next level."

Contact staff writer Maya Rao at 856-779-3220 or mrao@phillynews.com