House Passes Emrick Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Legislation

April 19, 2021

HARRISBURG – Today, Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Northampton) announced that his legislation (House Bill 607) received bipartisan support and was passed out of the House. The bill aims to tighten control over activities of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC).

Emrick’s bill would allow for an annual, joint audit of the DRJTBC’s finances and management operations by both the auditor general of Pennsylvania and the state auditor of New Jersey. Additionally, it would grant the governor veto power over decisions of the Pennsylvania commissioners like the recent toll increase just implemented.

“I think it is absolutely egregious that the DRJTBC would enact a toll increase while Pennsylvanians and our businesses are still suffering financially due to the pandemic,” said Emrick. “My legislation would allow the governor to oversee and review all actions made by the commission and create another level of checks and balances especially since their decisions would affect travel between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is critical to provide full transparency of the commission’s finances. I want to thank my colleagues for their continued support and hope that the Senate will bring this bill up for consideration in the coming weeks.”

Additional information regarding this legislation can be found by visiting here.

Emrick also filed a Right to Know request to the DRJTBC inquiring about their current financial status, cost-cutting measures during the pandemic and its current cash reserves. He is awaiting a response to this request.

Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Emrick’s district office at 610-588-8011 or 610-746-5090.

Representative Joe Emrick
137th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abby Chiumento
717.260.6617
achiumento@pahousegop.com
RepEmrick.com / Facebook.com/RepEmrick