Capitol Matters: Web site runs into problems

HARRISBURG - An effort to post a list of 66 Senate contracts and leases on an open-records Web site has run into lengthy delays.

Last August, Senate officials said they hoped to have the taxpayer-funded contracts accessible on the state Treasury contracts Web site within a matter of days. These contracts fall under posting requirements in the state open records law which took effect earlier this year.

That remains an elusive goal at year's end, said Doug Rohanna, a deputy state treasurer.

"We are working in good faith to try to resolve the issue," he added.

The problem is apparently one of software compatibility. The Senate chief clerk's office uses a more advanced form of Adobe software to electronically transmit documents than what Treasury is equipped with, said Mr. Rohanna adding that the problem is fixable.

Treasury's computer system needs upgrades so the document transmission problems could become more acute as other state agencies continually upgrade their own systems. If documents are available on searchable public Web sites, citizens don't have to file right-to-know requests from offices and wait for a response.

Under the open records law, contracts worth more than $5,000 that have been awarded since July 1, 2008 are to be posted on the Web site, with exceptions allowed for some contracts covering privileged attorney-client information.

Some of the Senate contracts on the wayward list are for consulting work and cost well above the $5,000 limit.

This illustrates a potential pitfall in the proposals to put state spending documents on-line.

The House unanimously passed legislation last week to create a Web site, known as PennGAP, that provides information on public salaries, credit card statements used by state employees, state agency and legislative spending, state contracts and agency audits.

Citizens won't realize the full potential of such legislation if the portal Web site doesn't keep pace with the latest software upgrades or lacks a user-friendly search function. It raises the question that if the Senate can spend taxpayer dollars to have the latest in computer technology why can't a Web site designed to help taxpayers keep track of how their money is spent.

Abolish turnpike commission

A Republican lawmaker introduced a bill last week to abolish the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and end what he described as a "pit of political patronage."

Rep. Mike Vereb, R-150, Collegeville, wants to transfer management of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to PennDOT and require that the new overseers have a civil engineering degree and at least a decade's experience in highway management.

The removal of a turnpike commission chairman associated with jailed former Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, and recent reports about investigations into cost overruns for a construction project in the Valley Forge area warrant abolishing the commission, added Mr. Vereb.

He said such a move would pave the way for more competitive bidding on contracts.

"Competitive bidding is always going to save us money," added Mr. Vereb.

Turnpike commissioners approved a resolution earlier this month that they say will lead to more competition for outside professional service contracts for bond work, financial and banking advice and real estate and property management work.

ROBERT SWIFT is Harrisburg bureau chief for Times-Shamrock Communications newspapers, of which The Daily/Sunday Review is a part. E-mail: rswift@timesshamrock.com

Sign up for Text Alerts

Sign up for e-mail newsletters