Professional trucking association: leasing the turnpike requires “pawn shop mentality”

Back in July the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) issued a statement opposing Governor Kasich’s plans to lease the Ohio Turnpike: “OOIDA strongly opposes the long-term lease or sale of infrastructure to private groups.”

As Kasich prepares to announce his proposal for the Ohio Turnpike, the group continues to oppose any plans that would turn over the road to private investors.

OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer told Plunderbund that “selling or leasing the Ohio Turnpike is poor public policy”. “Putting public roads up for auction is a pawn shop mentality; quick cash up front in exchange for something the Governor has no right to sell,” said Spencer. “Our highway system is a public utility that is vital to everyone by providing our mobility, our commerce, our very way of life.”

OOIDA represents over 150,000 independent owner-operators and professional drivers in the US and Canada.