Blackwell, Indiana governor share idea

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 Ohio's gubernatorial candidate wants to use lease money to improve roads and bridges. By JEFF ORTEGA VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT COLUMBUS — Indiana's governor says his state's plan to lease its 157-mile toll road to private interests will bring in much-needed dollars for road construction. Mitch Daniels also praised Ohio GOP gubernatorial nominee J. Kenneth Blackwell's proposal to lease the Ohio Turnpike. "We're very pleased. We think we made the right decision," Daniels, also a Republican, said Monday. "I really salute Ken for being willing to think about something similar." Daniels said Indiana began a lease agreement in July with a Spanish-Australian partnership that will operate the Indiana toll road as a for-profit venture for the next 75 years. The plans The company involved in the Indiana deal will keep the toll revenue, but, in return, will be responsible for maintenance, improvements and other operating costs. Daniels said the company has paid the state $3.85 billion up front for the right to operate the state's toll road — funds that will be used to build roads and bridges. "We will have, we believe, a superior transportation system because of this and only because of this," said Daniels, flanked by Blackwell, outside a private Columbus club where the two met with Gov. Bob Taft and others at a event hosted by the Republican Governors Association. Daniels, in his first four-year term as Indiana's governor, was President Bush's former budget director. "Those who would oppose this have to answer the question, 'What's your plan? Triple gas taxes?' That's what we would have to do to get an equivalent amount of money," Daniels added. Blackwell, Ohio's secretary of state, said, if elected, he would seek legislative approval to lease to private interests the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike that cuts across northern Ohio. Blackwell said the proposal could generate between $4 billion and $6 billion for state coffers that could be used for economic development. "The people and taxpayers of Ohio will continue to own the Ohio Turnpike," Blackwell said. "What we're doing is leasing it ... to someone who will actually run it for us." Higher tolls feared U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, slammed Blackwell's turnpike proposal. Strickland, of Lisbon, D-6th, said Blackwell's proposal is short on details. "This is a vital part of our state's infrastructure," Strickland said. Strickland said he fears a leased turnpike would result in higher tolls. Daniels said toll increases in Indiana will be limited to the rate of inflation under the lease agreement. The agreement also regulates other issues connected to the turnpike, he continued . "We will have a much better toll road. Why? Because it's in their interest to do it," Daniels said of the private interests who are leasing it. "The only way they'll ever make any money is if people like that road enough, it gets them from A to B fast enough that they choose to use it." Ohio voters go to the polls Nov. 7.