U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson is urging Yasmin Gramian, the secretary of transportation for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), to resign after implementing what he called a “haphazard plan” to toll nine bridges and spending more than $14 million in taxpayer money.
The Commonwealth Court invalidated the Major Bridge Public-Private Partnership (P3) Initiative, finding that PennDOT had broken the law by avoiding its legal commitments to transparency and public participation.
Wolf Administration’s idea for bridge tolls is rejected by a Pennsylvania court.
Thompson made the following declaration:
“I have expressed my concerns to PennDOT Secretary Gramian that the organisation was putting forth an unworkable tolling scheme for more than a year. She demonstrated along the way that public participation was only an afterthought through her behaviour.
This was made clear when, during a field hearing in Clarion last spring, she declined to answer questions from federal and state lawmakers.
In her efforts to impose a new tax on Pennsylvanians and the travelling public, Secretary Gramian has wasted millions of dollars in taxpayer money, according to Rep. Thompson.
She has betrayed the law and the confidence of the public; Secretary Gramian should resign immediately.
In reaction to Thompson’s remarks, The Wolf Administration issued the following statement:
It is regrettable that Congressman Thompson, who abstained from voting on the bill that eventually became the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is wasting the time and money of taxpayers by making untrue statements about PennDOT’s public involvement.
Congressman’s time would be better spent finding a solution for additional financing sources that will support Governor Wolf’s goal of gradually eliminating Pennsylvania’s gas tax rather than engaging in political games. Pennsylvanians need solutions, not publicity gimmicks.
“Secretary Gramian is a fantastic leader with more than 30 years of experience in the sector. He is also a highly skilled infrastructure expert. The governor is honoured to serve the commonwealth and will keep doing so.
Yassmin Gramian has served as Pennsylvania’s secretary of transportation since the state senate unanimously approved her in May 2020.
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The following comment was then made by Thompson in response:
The Commonwealth Court explicitly stated in its decision that there had been no meaningful engagement with those who would be impacted by the tolls.
Unfortunately, Congressman Thompson is wasting taxpayers’ time and money by making false claims regarding PennDOT’s public involvement. Congressman Thompson abstained from voting on the legislation that ultimately became the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Instead of playing political games, Congressman’s time would be better spent finding a solution for additional funding sources that will support Governor Wolf’s objective of eventually removing Pennsylvania’s gas tax. Not publicity stunts, but solutions are what Pennsylvanians need.
The Governor’s office is attempting to twist this fact.
They spent millions of government dollars and twice lost in court. What needs to be determined is who had the more hubris: the Secretary or the Governor?
