HARRISBURG -- It was an unusual combo -- Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, a liberal, and Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, a conservative -- that teamed up Tuesday to introduce legislation for a tougher code of conduct at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
It's needed because of the turnpike commission's expanded role in state highway and transit funding under Act 44, the transportation bill enacted in July, Orie said.
The turnpike has long been a patronage haven in state government.
Fairly or not, it has been criticized for conflicts of interest in its hiring and employment practices, according to Orie.
"I believe as the new lead agency on many transportation issues, it is important that the turnpike commission vigilantly avoid even the appearance of impropriety in its conduct," she said.
Under the bill, commissioners and executive-level employees would be forbidden from holding or seeking party office. They would be prohibited from lobbying the agency for one year after they leave. The bill would make sure those officials file financial disclosure statements and undergo ethics training.
Orie said there are other bills she is pushing separately dealing with state consulting.
Fumo, who is awaiting trial on federal corruption charges in Philadelphia, said, "We want them (turnpike officials) to have an ethics code that sets a high standard of excellence." Fumo maintains his innocence.
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