DRPA toughens rules, keeps toll discounts

The board of the Delaware River Port Authority toughened conflict-of-interest, pay-to-play, and other rules Wednesday, and voted to keep existing bridge-toll discounts for senior citizens, frequent bridge users, and drivers of "green" vehicles.

After almost three hours behind closed doors, the panel also agreed to dump corporate secretary John Lawless and merge his job with that of the agency's chief lawyer.

Four of the 16 board members voted against that action.

Lawless, a former Pennsylvania state legislator and unsuccessful Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, was escorted from DRPA headquarters in April for still-undisclosed reasons, but continued to draw his $123,806 salary.

His attorney, Michael Salmanson, said Lawless would pursue his employment-discrimination claims against the agency before filing any additional legal action resulting from Wednesday's action.

Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner, who serves on the board by virtue of his elected position, was among those who voted against Lawless' dismissal. Wagner expressed concerns that resulting lawsuits could cost the agency dearly.

Others who opposed removing Lawless were Philadelphia labor leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, appointed to the board by Gov. Rendell; Rob McCord, who serves in his role as Pennsylvania state treasurer; and Charles Fentress, appointed by then-New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

The board approved a measure to keep the discounted bridge toll for senior citizens at $1.75 for New Jersey E-ZPass users and to permit seniors who still have discount tickets to use them.

The board also approved keeping the commuter credit of $6 for E-ZPass users who make at least 18 bridge crossings a month and the $1 discount for E-ZPass customers who drive low-emissions vehicles.

The senior discounted toll was set to rise to $2 on Sept. 1 and the other discounts were to expire on that date.

One board member, former Pennsylvania Treasurer Robin Wiessmann, voted against keeping the discounts, citing the possibility that Wall Street might retaliate by lowering the DRPA's bond ratings or requiring it to pay millions of dollars immediately to terminate "interest-rate swap" agreements.

Chief financial officer John Hanson acknowledged the risk, but said he thought it unlikely. He said the DRPA was about $5.5 million ahead of budget for 2010, which more than offsets the $1.5 million annual cost of keeping the discounts.

Under pressure to change its culture of patronage and political influence, the DRPA board also voted to:

Prohibit contributions to charitable and civic groups. It will continue to provide in-kind aid for four charitable events each year that use DRPA bridges or parking lots.

Require companies doing business with the DRPA to disclose their political contributions.

Name members to committees to oversee audits of the agency and to review the compensation of DRPA officials.

Prohibit board members and employees from exerting "undue influence" on DRPA vendors or employees.

Eliminate in 60 days the $140,000-a-year patronage position of assistant to the chairman. The position is held by Mary-Rita D'Allesandro, a friend of Dougherty's.

The abolition of D'Allesandro's job was recommended by an independent audit released this month. The idea was championed by Dougherty's political opponent, Philadelphia City Councilman and DRPA board member Frank DiCicco, but it was not clear that it was retribution for Dougherty's DRPA reform push. Dougherty also voted to get rid of the job.

At the request of Wagner, a proposal will be drafted to provide the agency a citizen advisory committee or a tollpayer's seat on the board. That is to be considered at the next board meeting.

The board balked at a proposal to prohibit political contributions by vendors to DRPA board members or the governors who appoint them. The proposal, by Wiessmann, was tabled for consideration next month.

"This is a laudable goal . . . but many of the companies we do business with are large and they engage in political activity, as is their right," said DRPA Chairman John Estey, former chief of staff to Rendell.

The board also postponed action on proposals by McCord to forbid employees or their family members from having financial interest in a company that does business with the DRPA for a year after the employee leaves the agency, and to forbid employees from soliciting vendors to hire them or their relatives.

DRPA Vice Chairman Jeffrey Nash asked that a vote be postponed on those measures until he could consult with Gov. Christie's office.

The politically connected bistate agency has been under fire for six weeks for insider dealing, excessive salaries and perks, and a pervasive pay-to-play culture. Both Christie and Rendell demanded broad changes to make the DRPA more open and less susceptible to political influence.