Blackwell backs leasing of turnpike

The proposal calls for all police costs to be paid by the private operator.
By Jeff Ortega
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Leasing the Ohio Turnpike to private investors could create $4 billion to $6 billion for economic development in the state, Republican gubernatorial candidate J. Kenneth Blackwell says.
Blackwell, Ohio's secretary of state, said Tuesday the state needs to do all it can to create jobs.
"We must innovate. We must take risks. Ohio must use every resource available to create new jobs," Blackwell said in a statement.
"This proposal will allow an unprecedented push for economic development without depleting funds needed for other state services," Blackwell said.
Proceeds
Blackwell said proceeds of the proposed lease could be used broadly for economic development including energy development, a revolving development loan fund, turnpike corridor development, a higher-education scholarship fund for engineering or science students or K-12 science and math program support.
Blackwell has based his proposal on leasing arrangements made in Chicago and the state of Indiana for their toll roads, a Blackwell campaign official said.
"You can't be governor and not be thinking of how you're going to bring jobs to this state," Blackwell spokesman Gene Pierce said. "It's not like anything this state has seen before." Blackwell's proposal would use an open bidding process.
Under the proposal, the operator would be restricted to a toll increase of the greater of the consumer price index, or 3 percent. The fundamental toll rate would not increase any more than the rate of inflation.
Service plaza agreements would be kept in place until expiration; advertising rights would be kept by the State of Ohio.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol would police the 241-mile toll road under Blackwell's proposal, and all police costs would be paid by the road operator.
Under the proposal, current toll employees would be given fair consideration for employment.
Final details of the plan would need to be resolved in consultation with state lawmakers.
Response
Gov. Bob Taft, a Republican who's prevented by term limits from seeking a second consecutive four-year term, was unaware of Blackwell's proposal, a spokesman said.
Officials with the Ohio Turnpike Commission couldn't immediately be reached to comment on it.
Spokesmen for Attorney General Jim Petro, Blackwell's rival for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, and U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, declined to comment.
But state Sen. Eric Fingerhut of Cleveland, who is also seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, criticized the proposal.
"I don't believe it's a proper way to raise money," Fingerhut said.
Fellow Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bryan Flannery concurred.
"I think what he wants to do is just privatize it [the turnpike] and take revenue from it," said Flannery, a former Cleveland-area state representative. "I think that would be a real disservice to Ohioans."