Pa. Lawmaker Says He's Determined to Remake the DRPA

(HARRISBURG / KYW Newsradio 1060) -- A top Pennsylvania lawmaker says he is now more determined to change the compact governing the Delaware River Port Authority, after agency officials testified this morning about those controversial policies that have made headlines in recent weeks.

KYW's Tony Romeo reports that while another state senator urged caution in proceeding with reform, state Sen. John Rafferty -- the suburban Republican who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee -- said that after hearing testimony from the DRPA's chairman and CEO, he's more resolved than ever to change the way the agency is governed:

"I didn't really hear anything to change my mind. In fact, it's made me more emphatic that we have to amend the compact, have legislative oversight on both sides of the river.  We have to eliminate the economic development portion where governors have reached into the moneys of the DRPA."

Rafferty says he shares the concerns of the state treasurer, who testified that he believes a smaller, more diverse board is needed to govern the DRPA.

Rafferty also promised to keep up the scrutiny of the agency.

(File photo provided)