Gov. Tom Corbett has cleaned the rodent-droppings from Pennsylvania’s vermin-infested contribution to Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) appointing himself as chairman and replacing five board members.
But will it be the case of “meet the new rat, same as the old rat”?
Corbett’s appointments — William Sasso, Joanna Cruz, Joann Bell, Walter D’Alessio and David Simon — are all heavy political contributors to the governor each donating at least $1,500, personally or institutionally, to his attorney general and gubernatorial campaigns with Simon and Sasso kicking in $29,500 and $22,000 respectively as individuals.
DRPA is a Congressionally-approved arrangement between Pennsylvania and New Jersey charged with overseeing the maintenance and development of the Philadelphia-Camden port district and much of the Delaware River crossings including the four big toll bridges. The 16-member board is split evenly between the states. All New Jersey members are appointed to set terms by its governor. In Pennsylvania, six members are at-will gubernatorial appointments with the state’s treasurer and auditor general being automatically given seats.
Are Corbett’s picks going to be exterminators or just more bald-tailed looters looking for their cheese? One sign will be if crossing the Delaware gets cheaper and more convenient. Look to see what happens with the 20 percent toll hike schedule for July.
You ask “Are Corbett’s picks going to be exterminators or just more bald-tailed looters looking for their cheese?”
My guess they will be exterminators. Why? Because there are a lot of people sitting around in their pajamas drinking tea and waiting for these guys to make a false move.