Gov. John Kasich’s plan to privatize and lease the Ohio Turnpike has met with considerable opposition from across the state. But Kasich is prepared to make a Request for Proposals (RFP) and pursue the plan, according to State Rep. Matt Szollosi (49th District).

“The turnpike issue is a raging issue for folks in the northern part of the state,” said Szollos. “Kasich is going to
make that a priority in the fall or early part of next year. The Republican majority in both the House and Senate has given him the authority to pursue privatization. At this point, the administration is going to hire a consultant to advise it on the lease of the turnpike.”

The RFPs have not yet been sent out, said Szollosi.

“The consultant will be advising the administration on how to craft the RFP. The Legislature’s only role at this point forward is to approve the RFP once it’s crafted,” he added.

Kasich first broached the idea soon after being elected governor as a way to raise needed revenue, some of which would go toward infrastructure projects.

Szollosi said he has been opposed to the plan, which was included in the state budget.

“This Legislature almost completely ceded its responsibility to oversee this tremendous state asset to the administration with the language in the budget. I was adamantly opposed to giving the governor that type of authority to privatize the turnpike. I think it’s a huge mistake. “

Szollosi, as have other opponents of the plan, have cited Indiana, which leased its turnpike in 2006, as an example of what could happen in Ohio.

“Indiana privatized its turnpike. The maintenance of that asset has deteriorated, the tolls have almost doubled in four or five short years, and I believe at this point the toll workers are making just over minimum wage,” said Szollosi. “I’ve heard that the rest stops have deteriorated in quality and cleanliness. When you privatize, profit becomes the motive. Anyone who has traveled along the Ohio turnpike can see that this asset is in excellent condition. The workers do an exceptional job maintaining this precious asset. The rest stops are clean. The people, particularly in the northern part of the state who primarily use the asset on a daily or weekly basis, should not have to see the rates increase or potentially doubled nor should they have to experience a deterioration in the quality of the asset. It’s too important for us - the corridor along the northern part of the state - for economic and industrial development purposes to turn the turnpike over to outside or potentially foreign interests. We shouldn’t hand over this asset paid by the taxpayers for corporate profit.”

The only authority that the Legislature has maintained for itself is its approval of the RFP, he said. 

“Once the Legislature signs off on the RFP, its role is complete. Its authority is vanquished as a result of the language the Legislature approved as part of the budget,” he said.

Once the turnpike is leased to a private party, it cannot be reversed, said Szollosi.

“If the state legally enters into a sale of the assets, I don’t think that could be rescinded. If the state enters a 99-year lease, those are contractual agreements. The budget is already passed,” he said.

Local opposition to the plan includes Oregon, whose council this year passed a resolution against privatization, and Wood County commissioners.

“It is clear the Ohio Turnpike is not an asset of the State of Ohio, but is an asset bought and paid for by Northern Ohioans and other users of this Northern Ohio highway,” Wood County Commissioner Tim Brown stated in a press release earlier this year. “Throughout its existence, the turnpike has been superbly maintained by self-generated income at no cost to either the state or federal budgets. The Ohio Turnpike is a tremendous asset – but it is not an asset of the state to be leased or sold so that the profits can be funneled to private business interests or other areas of the state.”

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