Privatization positives

Gov. Ed Rendell’s long-planned proposal to privatize the Pennsylvania Turnpike will take… Gov. Ed Rendell’s long-planned proposal to privatize the Pennsylvania Turnpike will take effect soon. The governor announced Wednesday that the winning bidder for privatizing the turnpike will be revealed at the end of April. According to the Post-Gazette, Rendell expects the legislature to vote on a proposal to lease the turnpike sometime in mid-June.

Rendell has been pushing to privatize the turnpike for years but repeatedly met opposition from state legislators.

A study published by the House Democratic Caucus in March outlined the reasons for opposition, including the possibility of higher toll rates and the risk that lawmakers may use the new revenue for purposes unrelated to transportation.

Nine months ago, most likely as a result of continued resistance from legislators, the governor approved and signed Act 44, an alternative funding bill that would put tolls on northern Pennsylvania’s Interstate 80. However, rural legislators and residents contested the plan, claiming that it would wreck their economy.

So Act 44 has been abandoned by the governor, and rightfully so. Privatizing the turnpike is the better option, for many reasons.

Over the years, the turnpike has turned into a wasteful institution that has cost the state too much money. It’s time to cut back and save.

According to a study by the Reason Foundations, a non-profit think tank, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the least cost-efficient toll roads in the country. In their critique of the House Democratic Caucus study, Reason said that tolls would be higher under Act 44 because toll increases will be unlimited. Under a lease with a private company, however, toll increases would be legally restricted by the lease agreement.

Overall, a private company will make the turnpike a much more efficient institution. It will take care of administrative functions and clerical duties in a more responsible manner. It will save the state a lot of money, which can ultimately be used to repair roads and bridges and help fund the crumbling public transportation system. All of this will make getting around Pennsylvania a lot easier.

However, many legislators have criticized the governor for keeping them in the dark about the details of the proposal.

Rep. Rick Geist, R-Altoona, told the Post-Gazette, “None of us have been in the loop on this