After all of the controversy over the DRPA, it seems that another state authority has decided it needed a piece of the action and the potential wrath of the Governor.
This year the NJ Turnpike Authority was subject to audit that found that $43 Million were wasted on unnecessary perks, bonuses, and activities. One noteworthy example was a toll taker earning $73,469 per year, but somehow took home $321,985 in pay after bonuses. Other similar bonuses were given out to employees and management to the tune of $30 Million without any regard to performance at their job.
Taxpayers also footed the bill for bonuses on worker’s birthdays, an employee bowling league, $90,000 in scholarships for children of employees, and finally, $430,000 in free EZ-Pass use for NJTP workers.
Auditor Matt Boxer said,
While tolls are going up, the Turnpike Authority is overpaying its employees, overpaying its management, overpaying for its health plan and overpaying for legal services
With tolls set for a rate hike in 2012, there is little doubt that taxpayers will find this as awful as the DRPA situation earlier this year. I would hate to be the management at NJTP when Christie gets his hands on them.
