Outgoing auditor general lambastes turnpike debt one more time
HARRISBURG — With one week left in his final term as the state’s auditor general, Jack Wagner took aim once again at a favorite foe: the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
The two-term Democrat said he remains frustrated by what he sees as the toll road operator’s unwillingness to do anything about a debt burden that has grown from $2 billion in 2007 to about $8 billion today.
“Forgive me if I sound repetitive in talking about it, but I don’t think the taxpayers of the commonwealth think it’s repetitive because nothing’s being done to address it,” Wagner said.
One of the best ways to do something about the growing debt, which began to escalate nearly six years ago when the state adopted Act 44 to transfer $450 million each year from the turnpike’s coffers to the commonwealth to help pay for transportation and infrastructure improvements, is to get rid of the law, he said.
The law is now scheduled to continue another 44 years.
Because of its rising debt, the auditor general said the turnpike is forced to raise tolls annually.
“You have Thanksgiving, you have Chanukah, you have Christmas, you have New Year’s, you have an increase in the tolls of the Pennsylvania Turnpike,” Wagner said.
Elsewhere, Wagner said turnpike’s use of interest rate swaps to hedge against swings in borrowing costs has cost it nearly $109 million.
Wagner said the turnpike commission was “vague, at best” in its response to his performance audit findings, which covers Jan. 1, 2007, through Aug. 31, 2011.
The turnpike commission used the response it wrote to Wagner’s performance audit as its public response to his press conference claims.
“While we disagree necessarily upon the weight of each of your recommendations, it is clear to me that when system safety and provision of services are considered, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is performing as should be expected,” wrote Craig R. Shuey, the turnpike commission’s acting chief executive officer.
Shuey did say Wagner’s review has given the turnpike commission “additional areas to consider.”
Elsewhere, Wagner said he remains undecided on whether or not he will seek another political office. He’s been rumored to be considering a run at either the mayor of Pittsburgh or governor.
“I will be looking at other opportunities going forward and I rule out nothing in terms of public office,” he said.