Privatize, Privatize, still no stop to think

By Lee Russ

Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 09:42 AM

Following up a prior entry on privatizing flood control, we get this from another great political mind, a true pioneer in planning, (from the Nashville Tennesseean; source here http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051015/NEWS01/510150331/1001)

Nicely wants state to consider toll roads

Tennessee Highway Commissioner Gerald Nicely wants the state to consider building toll roads, but he first has to convince Gov. Phil Bredesen that motorists should pay tolls on top of state and federal gasoline taxes that total 39.8 cents per gallon. Nicely said the toll roads would be operated by private corporations for profit.

"Within the next two to three years, we're going to have to make some hard decisions on how we're going to have to finance our system for the next two decades," Nicely told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "I think we need to start talking about them right now," he said. "I don't think (we need to be) necessarily jumping into them in the next year."

Bredesen "is not warm to the idea of toll roads for Tennessee," said spokeswoman, Lydia Lenker. She said the governor would consider toll roads if they are included in the state's Long Range Transportation Plan. That plan helps steer the state's transportation growth, she said.

-- ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notice that the Governor did not fall down laughing at the idea. In fact, it appears to be still on the table if it's presented as part of a package.

So if Nicely gets his way, you can worry about both your ability to pay for the gas to visit Aunt Millie AND your ability to pay the road toll to visit Aunt Millie. "Nicely" done. Indeed.

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