As Gas Tax Increase Looms, Highway Employees Party
Updated: Wednesday, February 13 2013, 11:34 PM EST
As state leaders ponder raising the gas tax, Fox 45 has learned the agency which would spend the money shelled out thousands of taxpayer dollars for employees to attend a downtown conference.
The State Department of Transportation shelled out $60,000 last month for roughly 250 employees to attend a training conference at the Baltimore Hilton which included meals, an open bar party, and a Pinewood Derby competition.
State whistleblowers say the tab could be thousands of dollars higher if hotel stays and salaries are added.
The State Highway Administration, which sent dozens of employees to the conference, has been the subject of scathing audits. State investigators found waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars inside the agency.
Still, state leaders say more money is needed to fix ailing bridges and roads.
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