Republican Legislative Challengers Demands Answers, Criticizes Sweeney’s Lack of Leadership Following News of Federal DRPA Investigation
By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) is back in the news, Save Jerseyans. And you know it’s never for something good.
Inquirer reported earlier today that federal prosecutors have subpoenaed “economic development” related records from the DRPA, specifically, “board minutes, financial records, grant/loan application packages, correspondence and all electronic communications . . . sent or received by DRPA employees and/or board of commissioners.”
The scope of this inquiry isn’t 100% clear as of this writing but I’m willing to bet it’s not to pat’em on the back, folks.
And none of this should surprise anyone! Many of us have been calling for a full-scale investigation for years. Many years. DRPA has continued to spend money on things that have nothing to do with transportation while raising tolls on commuters. Just Google “DRPA” and you’ll have a weekend’s worth of eyebrow-raising reading.
Is change in the works? Hopefully this year’s hard-charging LD3 GOP ticket featuring Attorney Niki Trunk, Gloucester County Freeholder Larry Wallace and Salem County Freeholder Bob Vanderslice can advance the chains by retiring one legislator who has done virtually nothing meaningful to rein in the DRPA: former Gloucester County freeholder and current Senate President Steve Sweeney.
“Sweeney’s silence in the wake of more reports of waste, fraud and abuse at the DRPA must end,” said Trunk. “Sweeney has perfected the art of grandstanding in front of TV cameras any chance he gets, but when it comes to the DRPA, mums the word. Every effort to crack down on wasteful and un-elected agencies has been dead on arrival while Steve Sweeney has been Senate President.”
“As Freeholder, I promoted a accountability and held the majority accountable for their tax and spending spree in Gloucester County,” added Wallace. “I exposed waste which led our county to cut spending and lower taxes. Sweeney’s team has turned a blind-eye to the waste and mismanagement at the DRPA and it has cost toll payers dearly.”
