To The Editor:
Since 1924 Missourians have paid a motor fuel tax to construct and maintain our roads. Today, unelected bureaucrats in Jefferson City want two taxes for our roads: a fuel tax, and a toll tax forced on Missourians through a public-private partnership (PPP).
So-called “public-private partnerships” are long-term contracts (sometimes up to 99 years) between a private partner and government entity — in this case, an operating agreement for an Interstate 70 toll road. This is another old scheme and misguided attempt to unfairly burden Missourians.
It is correct that toll roads are not new concepts and are found in many states, but the March 18-19 Missourian editorial grossly misrepresents their viability. It is simply not fair, nor equitable, for residents and small businesses in the I-70 corridor to incur the entire cost of rebuilding I-70 through tolling which would allow MoDOT to transfer existing I-70 funds to other state roads. The editorial further misleads readers into believing PPPs are the only alternative.
Virginia, Indiana, California and Texas have experienced significant structural deficiencies with PPPs, including: ownership by foreign entities, risk of resale of the lease, issuing higher tolls on motorists after over-inflation of traffic volume estimates, minimal taxpayer protections, and inefficient use of funds. PPPs have also resulted in multiple bankruptcies, recklessly placing taxpayers on the hook for billions in debt.
Finally, tolling agencies in other states often do not consolidate construction debt for each project, meaning tolls have remained on roadways (whose debt has been paid off) so the agency can pay for other expansions. Certainly everyone agrees MoDOT should not tax motorists on one road in order to pay for another.
Missouri was once a pioneer in highway construction as the first state to build miles of interstate, paving the way for the free and efficient flow of commerce. We must find a way to lead again — without forcing another tax on Missourians through inefficient toll roads and deficient PPPs.
Double taxing Missourians is wrong. We stand on the side of voters and against the media telling us what is in our best interest.
Submitted by Wayne Baker, Wendy Nordwald, Mark Stephens, Brent Speight, Jim Ledbetter, Dan Robb and Steven Deves of A Better Road Forward, an advocacy group comprised of concerned citizens, small businesses, organizations and communities who are committed to finding viable solutions to solve Missouri’s transportation crisis.
