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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Amy Giancoli Hartman |
State Rep. Babette Josephs |
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PennDOT secretary refuses to testify before House State
government Committee on public's right to know about bridges
HARRISBURG, Aug. 6 -- In the wake of a bridge collapse in Minnesota, much speculation has been made about the conditions of bridges in Pennsylvania. A newspaper had requested the information of the state Transportation Department, which refused to disclose the information.
As a result, state Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., chairwoman of the House State Government Committee, invited Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler to attend the committee's Tuesday hearing on open records to explain his side of the matter and how the department handles other requests for information under the right to know law.
However, neither he nor a spokesperson for PennDOT will attend.
"Last week…you promised that such information would be shared," Josephs said in her response to the refusal. "I do not understand why you have broken that promise and will not explain to the committee why you have done so. I have made a reasonable request of you. If you have legal authority to withhold the information about bridge safety that was requested, we policy makers need to know what it is, so we can analyze and amend it, if necessary."
Josephs said this was an issue of open records, which is a priority of the House, and of bridge safety, which is important to the public.
"One would think that following the Valentine’s Day snow storm earlier this year, you would be more conscience of public perceptions and concerns. I must conclude that, unfortunately, you are not."
Josephs noted that Biehler said he could not attend because of scheduling problems, and that she has extended an open invitation to him to appear before the committee whenever his schedule allows.
The hearing, which was already scheduled to discuss open records legislation, is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building, Harrisburg.
A copy of the text of Josephs' letter follows.
August 6, 2007
The Honorable Allen D. Biehler, P.E.
Secretary of Transportation
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Keystone Building
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
SENT VIA FAX AND EMAIL
Dear Secretary Biehler :
I am disappointed by your refusal to testify personally or through a spokesperson before the House State Government Committee regarding open records in relation to the release of information pertaining to bridge safety.
Last week in a statewide teleconference call, when asked for the actual ranking of the structurally deficient bridges between 1 and 4, you promised reporters that such information would be shared. I do not understand why you have now broken that promise and will not explain to the Committee why you have done so. I have made a reasonable request of you. If you have legal authority to withhold the information about bridge safety that was requested, we policy makers need to know what it is, so we can analyze and amend it, if necessary.
There are two important issues at play here --- the first, the issue of open records, which is a priority of this committee and of this House. The second is bridge safety, an issue that is the long overdue and now rightfully the focus of public attention.
One would think that following PennDot’s trouble with snow removal on Interstate 78 on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, you would be more conscience of public perceptions and concerns. I must conclude that, unfortunately, you are not.
I have been told that neither you nor a spokesperson could appear before us, because of scheduling problems. Admittedly, the issue came up so suddenly that I did not have time to give you proper notice. Therefore, please consider this letter as an open invitation to appear before the committee at any time during this legislation session. I will do my best to set a meeting whenever you are available.
Yours,
Babette Josephs
Majority Chair - House State Government Committee
BJ/ro
cc: Members of the State Government Committee