OOIDA Call to Action - Missouri Members
(October 22, 2004)

Dear Missouri member,

On Tuesday, you received a call to action letting you know of plans by the Missouri Department of Transportation and some state lawmakers to convert Interstate 70 into a toll road. This proposal is a scaled down version of their earlier plan that included I-70, I-44 and bridges in St. Louis and Kansas City.

At the end of that message, we suggested a call to Sen. Kit Bond to share your thoughts on toll roads. Many of you have called the Senator's office.

When we called, the message from the staff was this is a state issue that will be decided in Jefferson City by state lawmakers. If state lawmakers approve this proposal, then the issue must go on a statewide ballot for approval by Missouri voters. While these statements are true, they are only part of the story.

Current federal law does not permit individual states to convert existing interstate highways and bridges to toll facilities. Interstates like I-70 and I-44 are Missouri interstates, but they are paid for with 90 percent federal fuel tax dollars from the federal highway trust fund that you pay into in numerous ways. The federal government has the final say on federally funded highways and bridges regardless of what lawmakers in Jefferson City or any other state might say.

Here's where Sen. Bond plays a crucial role on toll roads. When the U.S. Senate passed their version of the 6-year highway reauthorization bill earlier this year, the Senate gave authority to all states to begin converting existing interstates into toll roads. This is exactly what lawmakers in Jefferson City need to move ahead with their plans.

The 6-year highway bill has not been finalized yet in Washington. The Senate and the House have to agree on a final bill that will go to the president to be signed into law. The House version of the highway bill takes a different and better approach to toll roads. Remember the Kennedy amendment that stipulates that tolls can only be levied on new roads or new lanes. They must be voluntary with all proceeds collected used to pay for that construction (only). When the lanes are paid for, the tolls come off.

The Senate's version would allow tolls for nearly everything with no control whatsoever of where and how toll revenues are used. The Senate's bill would make truckers an easy mark for every state.

The Senate's version is supported by most states and the Bush administration. So far, it is also supported by all of the Senate leadership (Inhofe, Bond, Reid) with the exception of Sen. Daschle. Bond should be opposing this, too.

When you call Sen. Bond's office, explain that you know what the issue is in Jefferson City and you also know what the issue is in DC.

Ask that Sen. Bond reject the toll provisions in Section 1609 of the Senate highway bill and that he support the toll provisions in Section 1603 of the House highway bill.

As I said previously, Sen. Bond needs to hear from constituents. Please call Sen. Bond at 202-224-5721.

Signed,
Todd Spencer,
OOIDA Executive Vice President