DRPA Bans Gifts, Gets New Boss

The Delaware River Port Authority has new rules and a new chairman.

The agency, which runs four Philadelphia-area bridges connecting New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has been pushed by the governors of both states to operate more transparently and stick to transportation projects.

The commission on Wednesday approved rules that ban its officials from accepting any gifts related to their employment.

Employees also are now required to get permission before taking second jobs.

The DRPA's nepotism policy was expanded to include first cousins.

David Simon, an executive at Jefferson Health System, was sworn in as chairman. He replaces Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, who stepped down from the position earlier this year saying he was satisfied that the agency was moving in the right direction.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)