OOIDA Call to Action - Indiana Members
March 8, 2006

Dear Indiana Member,

It's crunch time in terms of making your views known on the Toll Road. The matter is now in a conference committee where it will be modified and sent back to the House and Senate for an up or down vote. This will happen quickly. The Legislature's final day in session is Tuesday, March 14.

Below is the transcript of a radio ad spot OOIDA is running on radio stations in northern Indiana where opposition to the governor's plan may be as high as 90 percent. For this effort to be successful, we must change the minds of a half dozen Republican lawmakers who support the governor's plan.

Radio Ad:

"A recent Indianapolis Star Poll found that Hoosiers, by a margin of 2 to 1, are opposed to Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan to lease the Indiana Toll Road - a state asset - to foreign investors. Hoosiers know it's not a smart idea.

"Just listen to the words of financial guru Warren Buffet about foreign ownership of U.S. assets:

"As foreigners increase their ownership of U.S. assets relative to U.S. investments abroad, these investors will begin earning more on their holdings than we do on ours.

"Either Americans address the problem soon in a way we select, or at some point, the problem will likely address us in an unpleasant way of its own.

"A 75-year mortgage is not the kind of legacy we should leave to our children and grandchildren. Tell your state legislator to say no to 'Major Moves.' "

"This announcement is brought to you by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, representing nearly 5 thousand small-business truckers and professional truck drivers from Indiana."

Please continue contacting lawmakers. You might also be interested to know the Indiana Motor Truck Association is helping pay for ads supporting the governor's plan. Go figure.

You can find your state lawmakers and get their contact information by going to vote-smart.org and entering your nine-digit ZIP code. If you don't know the full nine-digit ZIP, the site does provide a link to assist you with getting the last four digits.

You can e-mail your lawmaker by going to the following Web site: in.gov/legislative/legislators/listing.html.

You can also call the OOIDA Membership Department at 1-800-444-5791 and they can pull up the information for you.

Thanks for your support.