Rep. Mustio: Legislation Introduced to Abolish PA Turnpike Commission

Following a 44-month grand jury investigation revealing untold millions of public dollars being squandered through “pay-to-play” corruption, political patronage and a lack of competitive bidding, legislation has been introduced in the state House to abolish the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. 

House Bill 1197 would transfer all operations, maintenance, construction and other responsibilities for the turnpike to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in an effort to streamline government and enhance efficiency.

If enacted, this legislation would require PennDOT to honor any collective bargaining agreement in existence between the Turnpike Commission and any employee organization. The bill also would assign debt of the outstanding bonds of the Turnpike Commission to the Commonwealth.

The Turnpike Commission is currently run by nine executives and is in charge of just 545 miles of roadway. By comparison, PennDOT is run by seven executives and manages more than 41,000 miles of roadway.

House Bill 1197 now awaits consideration in the House Transportation Committee. 

New License Plates Available for Paratroopers, World War II Merchant Mariners

PennDOT is now offering license plates for members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have served with a U.S. Military Airborne Unit or as a World War II Merchant Mariner.

The new license plates for members of a U.S. Military Airborne Unit feature images of jump-and-glider wings, and the plates for Merchant Mariners features an image of the Merchant Marine emblem.

More information about obtaining these or any other special license plate is available at www.RepMustio.com.