Every four years, the PA Office of the Auditor General is required to conduct a report on the PA Turnpike Commission. On December 10, 2012, Auditor General Jack Wagner held a press conference to discuss the findings of the 2007-2011 report to be released in January.

Of the six findings the report analyzes, the Auditor General highlighted a $7.7 million loss because of free travel by employees, consultants and contractors, and officials.

Evidenced by the report, Wagner claims that the Turnpike has deficient means of monitoring use of "free passes," some which are necessary and valid such as for emergency and work-related purposes. However, the Auditor General's findings indicate that there is no differentiation between work use and personal use. As a result, the Turnpike Commission has no way of knowing how much free personal use of the Turnpike is costing taxpayers.

Wagner stated he is concerned about the "fiscal stability of the Turnpike," and noted the $7.8 billion debt. The Auditor's General Office has made 12-15 recommendations in its report to the Turnpike Commission.

"I had to send a letter," Wagner said, in order to get the Turnpike Commission to turn over information. "I seldom have ever done that as Auditor General."

Videos:

Part I: Recommended no more personal use, no more free travel"

Part II: "Making certain that the Pennsylvania Turnpike is following the trust indenture that it should be committed to."

Part III: "The turnpike doesn't distinguish between personal travel and business travel."

Part IV: "Ultimately, the taxpayer pays."

Part V: "Monitoring for the purpose of being work related is what is important."

Part VI: "The Turnpike was very reluctant to provide any type of information related to this free travel."

Part VII: The Turnpike had to be asked to cooperation

by Tara Leo Auchey