OOIDA Call to Action - Kansas Members
February 1, 2007

02/01/07-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is recommending a toll increase along the Kansas Turnpike to help pay for maintenance at state universities.
The governor wants truckers and four-wheelers who use the turnpike to pay for a backlog of building maintenance projects at seven state universities. Her proposal calls for raising tolls by up to 5 percent a year for each of the next seven years, which she says will generate more than $700 million.
OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer said that using toll roads to fund projects that are unrelated to transportation is "misguided."
"Clearly, highway funds should be used for highways, rather than any other purpose," Spencer said. "While it's tempting for elected officials to look at revenue streams as a way to fund other activities, it's that kind of thinking that undermines our highway system. It certainly will in Kansas, and it certainly has all around the country."
Spencer said it is the duty of elected officials to promote responsible spending, and the duty of concerned citizens to make sure officials are doing just that.
To voice your opinion about the governor's suggestion to increase tolls on the Kansas Turnpike to pay for building maintenance at state universities, call or write to the governor and/or the Turnpike Authority.

To contact the governor:
Send mail to:
Office of the Governor Capitol
300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 212S
Topeka, KS 66612-1590

E-mail:
http://www.governor.ks.gov/comments/comment.htm

Call (toll free):
Office of Constituent Services: 1-877-KSWORKS (1-877-579-6757)

Fax:
(785) 368-8788

To contact the Turnpike Authority President Mike Johnston:
Send mail to:
KTA 9401 E. Kellogg
Wichita, KS 67207-1804

Call:
(316) 682-4537