Opinion
More for turnpike tolls? Maybe much more?
Oklahomans need to be appraised of a possible move to the long-term lease of a significant part of our state infrastructure. The most likely candidate for leasing might be part or all of our turnpike system. Would that be good or bad for the users of highways in Oklahoma?
In several other states there has been a move in the past few years for entities to enter into a public-private-partnership with a state where a company either secures a long-term lease on an existing road or perhaps builds a completely new road. Usually the state retains ownership and grants a 50- to 99-year lease to a private entity for the operation and maintenance of the road.
Of course, the company isn’t providing that service for a pat on the back. With control of the tolls they intend to recoup their investment and make a healthy profit off their efforts. Generally speaking, the companies have been foreign-owned, either from Spain or Australia.
I believe there is consideration for such an idea in Oklahoma. About two and a half years ago a group known as Better Roads and Bridges sponsored the circulation of a petition for a statewide vote to raise the fuel fees on gasoline and diesel.
The group largely was made up of road and bridge contractors as well as concrete and asphalt companies. In light of rapidly rising fuel prices as well as state legislation just passed to better fund our roads and bridges, the measure went down in flames to a lopsided defeat.
Since that defeat, many of those same supporters have come together to form the organization Transportation Revenues Used Strictly for Transportation. Four of the key principles they stand for are: Protecting and growing dedicated funds for Oklahoma’s transportation system; supporting leaders who are committed to transportation as a priority of state government; use of high-quality materials in building and maintaining roads and bridges; and efficiency and accountability within the Oklahoma Legislature and Department of Transportation.
All of these principles are worthy but the real question is how to best accomplish them? I believe TRUST, along with ODOT, are considering whether or not they could lease out our turnpike system for some up-front money that could then be used by ODOT for our non-turnpike roads and bridges.
In May, TRUST, along with Speaker Lance Cargill’s “100 Ideas Campaign,” sponsored a lecture featuring Robert Pool, director of transportation studies with the Reason Foundation.
Poole pitched a glowing case for the public-private partnerships as a new way to finance and build roads in cash-strapped states. His main point was that the partnerships represented a large new source of highway investment. He described the new source mostly as bank financing, equity markets and institutional investors. Another main point was “fairness” as this would be a “user pay” system.
My objection to the idea is Oklahoma’s turnpike system already is based on fairness as only the users currently pay. In addition, if our turnpike authority were going to build a new turnpike, it would float bonds, probably using some of the same financial sources Poole suggested. So what’s the difference?
Our current turnpike system has no operational profit motive involved. Some of the entities involved in the partnerships are looking for an 18 percent annual profit margin. Therefore, it is my contention the tolls will have to be considerably higher if we go with the partnerships rather than stay with our current system.
Oklahomans better watch this closely or we consumers will pay much more to travel our roads so private parties can profit. I believe our current turnpike system can be made more economical and the tolls lowered. We also must work to reclaim funds for ODOT, funds that should be going for roads that currently are diverted to other uses. These are the better ideas to improve our roads and bridges rather than leasing out our infrastructure.
CHARLIE MEADOWS is chairman of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee.
- Opinion
-
-
Edwards book missing some perspective
During his run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 2008 John Edwards often spoke about the plight of the less fortunate in our society. At campaign events the former senator from North Carolina told of how American workers whose jobs had gone overseas as a result of globalization were unable to support their families and were now living in poverty.
-
Government purchasing process needs more transparency
In last week’s legislative update, I talked about how social media can be used as a feedback mechanism by businesses. I posited that state government should be allowed to take advantage of these same techniques, and I have heard from state officials how they need a clear set of policies to govern their actions in using social media projects.
-
Preparing for a Rainy Day
This year, Oklahoma faces one of the worst budget crises in our state’s history. The decisions that lie ahead for state leaders will be difficult, but I have no doubt that Oklahoma will weather this storm and emerge stronger.
-
HB 2914 could create jobs, expand economy
This last week the 2010 Legislative Session kicked off at the limestone palace on 23rd and Lincoln. While the Legislature will consider hundreds of bills in the next four months, there is one that is my favorite — HB 2914 by Rep. Danny Morgan.
-
Moving up in national testing scores
A long history of education reform is positively impacting our public schools, earning Oklahoma high marks on two recent national report cards. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Leaders and Laggards” national report card in late 2009 gave Oklahoma an “A” (second in the nation) for “Technology” for the use of Web-based programs and computer-based assessments, which was one of six categories graded. Our state received a “B” in the “Data” category for our state’s educational data system, ranking 11th in the nation.
-
Staying alive: The legacy of Will Rogers
Recently, I received an e-mail from a theatrical producer in Chicago. David happily shared with me the script of a new one-man show set to premiere at a theater in suburban Oakbrook in late March. Ticket sales are going great, he reported. People are excited, and two matinee performances are already sold out. The subject of the production just so happens to be a gum-chewing, lariat-tossing, wise and witty cowboy by the name of Will Rogers.
-
For Oklahoma: Less can really mean more
While Oklahoma digs out from massive winter storms the governor and Legislature are faced with digging Oklahoma out of a severe fiscal crisis.
The governor in his state message vowed to protect education and Oklahoma’s most vulnerable. This is an immediate challenge, but solutions must go beyond protection to implementation of long-term reforms for Oklahoma’s future. -
Cities attempt to eliminate accountability notices
Little things can make a big difference. Printed public notices in newspapers are little things, but they make a big difference when keeping government accountable to citizens and taxpayers.
It is no surprise the Oklahoma Municipal League has introduced legislative proposals to eliminate printed notices in newspapers. -
Brotherly love just as important as prayer
You hear a lot about prayer these days and it brings a story to mind. There are several versions of this old tale drifting around in different cultures but they all have the same basic outline.
A certain farmer found himself harvesting a crop that exceeded his wildest expectations. After years of living on the edge of poverty, his ship finally had come in and he was on the road to prosperity at last. -
Can the president reconnect with Americans?
You could tell President Obama’s State of the Union speech was shaped by public opinion polls. That’s not necessarily bad, especially when it comes to a presidency that has been veering off track, and losing key political battles.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Edwards book missing some perspective
