OOIDA Call to Action - Indiana Members
January 26, 2007

Attention: Indiana truckers! The Indiana Senate transportation committee is expected to vote Tuesday, Jan. 30, on a bill that would clear the way for two privately run toll roads. It is extremely important to speak out against privatizing our highways.

Touted by Gov. Mitch Daniels, the bill – SB1 – would allow a private group to build and operate a toll route through five counties neighboring Indianapolis. The proposed 75-mile Indiana Commerce Connector would link Interstate 69 northeast of the city with Interstate 70 to the southwest.

Sponsored by Sen. Thomas Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, the bill would also remove the state’s authority to collect tolls along a portion of I-69. In return for that assurance, Daniels’ proposed connector project could be tolled. Tolling authority for I-69 from Evansville to Martinsville was part of the Republican governor’s Major Moves legislation from 2006 that included privatizing the Indiana Toll Road.

Another provision in the bill would authorize the proposed Illiana Expressway to be privately funded. The 63-mile, limited-access route would link Interstate 94 in northern Indiana and Interstate 57 in Illinois.

It is important to stop the plan now because once this bill gets through the Legislature lawmakers will have no more say over the roads’ construction.

Please take time now to contact members of the Senate transportation committee about your concerns prior to their scheduled meeting Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 9:30 a.m. To contact the committee members listed below simply call (317) 232-9400 or 1-800-382-9467 and ask the operator to be forwarded to their office.

The committee consists of:

• Chairman: Sen. Thomas Wyss, R-Fort Wayne
• Sen. James Merritt Jr., R-Indianapolis
• Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville
• Sen. Phil Boots, R-Crawfordsville
• Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel
• Sen. Vic Heinold, R-Kouts
• Sen. Allen Paul, R-Richmond
• Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington
• Sen. Jean Breaux, D-Indianapolis
• Sen. James Lewis, D-Charlestown
• Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary