|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
FUMO REQUESTS PARKING AUTHORITY AUDIT HARRISBURG, August 25, 2003 – State Senator Vincent J. Fumo (D-Philadelphia) sent the attached letter to Philadelphia Parking Authority Chairman Joe Ashdale on Friday. # Attachment (On Fumo Senate Stationary) August 22, 2003 Joe Ashdale, Chairman Dear Mr. Ashdale: I am writing to obtain a copy of the most recent audit of the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). Section 5510.1 (e) of Title 53, the Authority’s authorizing statute, requires a copy of annual audits to be filed with the Secretary of the Senate, but no such audit has thus far been provided to the Senate. The PPA’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. If no audit is filed within the next 5 days, pursuant to the section of your authorizing statute referenced above, I will regrettably be forced to ask the City Controller to immediately take the necessary steps to complete a full audit of your operations. Revenues provided to the City from the PPA have declined dramatically during the past year. This $4.2 million shortfall for the 2002-03 fiscal year continues a disturbing trend of declining receipts that began immediately following the change of governance at the PPA, as I had predicted on the Senate floor when the legislation precipitating this change was enacted. Press accounts suggest this decline may be largely due to significant increases in payroll, salary costs, and related patronage abuses at the PPA. It is therefore important that such serious financial concerns are answered in a timely manner. Given the current strain on city and state resources to the point that tax increases may be necessary to provide even basic resources, I am sure that you will agree with me that the taxpayers deserve nothing less than a fair and complete accounting of their money. To do anything less would be a collective slap in the face of hard working taxpayers of Philadelphia, as well as the Commonwealth. Sincerely, (Signed) Vincent J. Fumo State Senator
Cc: Joseph Egan, Executive Director |
