DRPA Works To Upgrade Its Image, Despite Logistical Roadblocks

CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- It's not easy being clean, as the board of the Delaware River Port Authority has been finding out.

Lately, its efforts to improve its ethics image has sometimes been blocked by expensive consequences.

The board (above) passed a resolution banning on-the-job "political" activities by commissioners, officers, and employees, after one politician on the panel assured another that this didn't apply to constituent services, just to urging people how to vote.

Another resolution aimed at blocking DRPA employees from jumping ship to DRPA contractors was rejected as virtually insuring they'd make the jump now.

Twin resolutions restricting political contributions by DRPA suppliers were sent back to be combined and reworked so as to not trigger expensive freedom-of-speech lawsuits.  That's made even more difficult because New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and federal political contribution laws all apply to the multi-state agency.

DRPA already requires disclosure of such political contributions.

Reported by John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio.
Photo by John Ostapkovich