Taxpayers Deserve Checks-and-Balances Over Authorities

 By Sen. Kevin O’Toole

In a little more than a year, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission has gone from the poster child for government waste and corruption to a model of government reform.

Once labeled a patronage pit, and worse, now an agency that delivers value to taxpayers. The new PVSC epitomizes what can be done to overhaul wasteful public agencies when we have an administration committed to ending taxpayer abuse. While the makeover of the PVSC is an example of effective reform, it might only be an isolated example of change unless the state legislature acts to ensure that reforms at other agencies are attainable.

Once known as the worst kept secret among political insiders as a political dumping ground, was changed after the election of Gov. Chris Christie. A year into his administration, Gov. Christie took the unprecedented step of demanding the resignations of six of the agency’s commissioners.  He appointed a new Executive Director -- Wayne Forest, a former county prosecutor.

With the commissioners out the way, Forrest had the ability to start to remake this bloated agency. He was able to change the culture of abuse, political patronage, and misuse of public resources. We have all read about the four high-ranking PVSC employees who have been indicted for abusing their power and misusing PVSC resources for personal work on the homes of their relatives, friends and themselves.

The PVSC once employed 758 people and now employs 494, down 264 people.  Gone are the political hangers on, the lazy, and the unqualified. Dozens of make-work jobs have been eliminated, such as the employee who was paid over $80,000 annually plus benefits to pump gas. Scores of vehicles that were handed out as perks to favored employees have now been parked. Legal services, now in house, have saved $1 million in the second half of 2011. One of the most offensive practices, allowing outside professional vendors to be eligible for State pension and health benefits, has been halted.

With more than 250 fewer people, the agency is now streamlined and able to deliver quality service to 48 towns, in five counties. Because of the workplace reforms that were made, employees now know their promotions and raises are based on the skill and commitment they bring to work, not thanks to their political godfathers.

For the first time in decades, there is a real, objective hiring process. Job openings are posted internally and on the Commission web site. Resumes and qualifications are reviewed, and applicants are interviewed and vetted by a team of apolitical professionals.   

The changes at the PVSC are real and benefitting 1.4 million users.  The past two budgets crafted by Executive Director Wayne Forrest have reduced spending by more than $6.3 million.

For decades, the PVSC existed on inertia. Previous governors and legislators knew how corrupt the PVSC was, but few wanted to take on the task of dismantling it. The agency seemingly was untouchable by Trenton. Gov. Christie showed that the PVSC was not beyond the reach of the state’s chief executive.  He unmasked the agency and cowed it to his ethical standard. 

But the current and future governors need more tools to control regional agencies that abuse taxpayer money. I am proud of the bi-partisan sponsorship of S-714 and S-770, which would force regional commissions, such as the PVSC and the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, to forward the minutes of their meetings to the governor’s office for approval. If the Governor finds the commission’s actions are not in the best interest of taxpayers - the governor can veto the minutes, thereby nullifying the actions of the commission. Despite the public good generated by gubernatorial oversight of autonomous commissions, the legislative Democratic majority refuses to post two  bi-partisan reforms bills for  committee review and debate

Ensuring that taxpayers are provided with checks and balances over any agency that spends their money should be common sense. The passage of these reforms should be a no-brainer.