Pa. court hears turnpike E-ZPass records arguments

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Commonwealth Court panel is weighing an open-records case that would force the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to turn over details of employee use of the E-ZPass electronic toll system.

The Patriot-News of Harrisburg had requested the records under open-records rules. The commission initially denied the request but a state office ruled in December the records could be released with personal information redacted.

A turnpike lawyer argued before the three-judge panel on Monday that special records are not kept and information about employee travel should be exempt.

The Patriot-News contends the turnpike must have a way of knowing not to charge employees’ accounts.

A former turnpike official said last year that turnpike workers get free access to the highway for business or personal use.