Attention – Ohio members

Dear Member,

You likely have already heard about an effort at the Ohio statehouse that would hand over possession of the state’s turnpike and lottery in return for a bundle of cash. To make matters worse, revenues from any lease deal wouldn’t even be used solely for transportation.

The bill – SB224 – is in the Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee. It is imperative to communicate with lawmakers before the ball gets rolling on this effort. Tell committee members that you are opposed to such deals redirecting resources from infrastructure to other pet projects, let alone handing over state assets for several decades.

SB224 would allow the state to privatize the Ohio Turnpike and Ohio Lottery. However, proceeds from sale or lease deals would be directed to higher education – scholarships to be exact. The only revenue routed for transportation would be used solely to pay debt charges on all outstanding bonds, notes and other obligations issued in connection with the Turnpike.

Lawmakers need to know that you do not want the state redirecting resources to funds totally unrelated to the cost that would be incurred by truckers and other highway users. The state should first pursue cleaning up some of the debt problems without going to the extreme of selling or leasing an asset.

We’ve seen this before. SB224 resembles the deal Indiana made to lease their Toll Road. We know that these deals don’t work out well for highway users. States that pursue this path in the end will have regrets.

OOIDA members and other truckers should take time NOW to make their voices heard to members of the Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee on this extremely important issue. You can also call the OOIDA Membership Department at 800-444-5791 and they will look up the contact information for you.