Next In GOP Privatization? Toll Roads Run By Private Companies

[matcom]

<snip>

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The next road you travel -- and pay a toll to use -- could be privately owned.

Looking for ways to finance highway projects without hitting the public trough, the U.S. Congress appears set to pass a proposal to encourage private ownership of new toll roads.

The provision, part of the highway spending bill now being hammered out by a Senate and House conference committee, would allow private companies to raise up to $15 billion for highway projects with bonds that are exempt from federal income taxes.

While the proposal has broad support in Washington and the business community, the idea of private highways has incited grassroots opposition in some states, with some saying the government -- not a profit-seeking company -- is the proper owner of the public's roads.

Toll road owners such as Spain's Cintra and Australia's Macquarie Infrastructure Group stand to benefit from the move to private infrastructure bonds, since their tax-exempt status would keep interest rates and funding costs low.

The move would also bring lucrative fees to Wall Street banks and others for underwriting and trading tax-exempt debt.

"The time has come for this," Sen. Jim Talent, a Missouri Republican who co-sponsored the proposal, said in a telephone interview. "I think we have an excellent chance of the $15 billion bond issue coming out of conference."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/06/30/congress_seen_paving_way_for_private_toll_roads?mode=PF

[acmejack]

1. They have the contract for one in Texas

simply amazing

[KansDem]

2. This is getting out of hand...

the government -- not a profit-seeking company -- is the proper owner of the public's roads.

Two years ago I received a notice in the mail that my waste-water removal will be fee-based. It used to be covered by my county taxes. I remember the notice beginning with something like "In order to make things more equitable..." or some such nonsense. I wondered then if this was another GOP "less taxes, more fees" program that benefit the wealthy.

Republicans have gone berserk with their obsession of making every thing a profit-motive venture. There are simply some services that are in the public interest and therefore should be controlled and operateded by the public. Wastewater removal and highways are two such services.

[Deja Q]

5. The public cares more about American Idol and Britney Spears,

not water and highways. The people could be assaulted and sodomized and they still wouldn't fight back.

[KansDem]

11. Sad as it seems, you may be right...

I was so POed about this change to a "fee-based" service that I refused to pay. And I didn't pay this fee for quite awhile. Well, setting aside whether that was a wise thing to do, eventually I was being threatened with legal action if I didn't pay up and make my account current. I've done that and am now current, but still think I amassed a bill of hundreds of dollars and possible legal action for something that used to be taken care of through county taxes. I mean, I paid my taxes for decades--no problem. I didn't even have to THINK about waste water removal. But now, it's another (bi)monthly payment right along with the mortgage, phone, utility, insurance, student loan and credit card payments. Just what I need! ANOTHER account to worry about each month!

[Jose Diablo]

15. Well, when you started to pay for waste water removal directly

did your county taxes drop accordingly? I doubt it. This is the essense of privatization, make what used to be a service provided by a non-profit organization, like government, and change that to a private for-profit operation, all the while diverting the tax money that used to pay for this service into some pork project that also benefits the wealthy and the politicians.

Strange thing is though, some people buy this BS as gospel. What's his name, the guy that said a sucker is born everyday, well he was right. This country is filled with idiots that have no ability to see what's going on and they buy every lie said by the politicians. Just label every social program as a dirty pinko commie idea, and they can do whatever the politico's want. Fucking idiots.

[KansDem]

17. Therein lies the rub...

did your county taxes drop accordingly? No. The last wastewater bill was for $42. That's bimonthly, so it comes out to $252 for the year! Try raising someone's county tax bill that amount and watch the histrionics begin!

But I didn't see an decrease in my tax bill of that amount...

[FreedomAngel82]

9. I know why

They don't want to pay for anything. Instead they want all our tax money to just go back to the wealthy top percent who gets Bush's tax cuts.

[KansDem]

14. Precisely...

Initially, I believe the fees were based on water usage during the months of January or February. I thought, "Hmmmm, who uses water to fill their swimming pools or water their huge estate lawns during these months?"

[alfredo]

3. Next thing you know, they will be using GPS to assess taxes

for road use.

[fasttense]

4. Great, I know a great way to make money.

Offer foot/bike paths for a penny a rider that go the same way the toll roads go. I mean if they are going to privatize roads, I'm going to offer competitive alternatives. Now instead of just one US highway, we can have three and four each with different toll costs all going the same way. Mine will be for locals who don't have much money. I'll make up in volume what I lack in price. The Wal-Mart of travel.

[Bozita]

6. Well, the land needed for the roads can now be taken rather easily

Does it benefit the community? That makes it OK.

SCOTUS said so.

[FreedomAngel82]

10. Oh yes

And we all know how good that ruiling turned out.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Cintras got the Texas contract as mentioned above.

Interestingly enough, one of Governor's former aides went to work for Cintras, but there was no funny business. No way.

[FreedomAngel82]

8. You just gotta

love that republican Controlled 15% raiting Congress. Of course watch them find some way to blame us.

[lapfog_1]

12. Let's see

Private companies to provide us with energy.

(That worked out sooo f'ing well for us in CA!)

Private guards to run our prisons.

Private armies to fight our wars.

So why not private toll roads and private water supplies...

Hell, why not private air to breath!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

13. Hey, it's one way to keep the riff-raff off 'their' highways

It must gall Repugs to have to drive their Lexuses (Lexi?) on the same concrete as poor people. This way only well to do people will use the highways; the rest of us will crowd into what's left -- a decaying infrastructure clogged with increasing traffic.

Of course, if they don't use the public highways, why should the rich pay taxes to maintain them?

USA, Inc., A Division of BushCo

[newportdadde]

16. I can't belive my asshat Senator is quoted there.

Mr never had a real job in his life trust fund baby.

If he thinks privated owned road BS is going to go over well in MO I think he will find himself gravely mistaken. At least I hope my fellow Misourians aren't all insane yet.

We really need to get this guy out of here before he becomes Senator for life.

[Robb]

18. Devil's Advocate here...

...I mean, private companies already build/rebuild the roads. Is there an upside to this?

I remember my brother-in-law telling me the highways in Europe were so smooooooth because the same company that builds it has to take on the contract to maintain it for a decade or so. In the interest of the all-mighty Euro, they build it to last, instead of to break down so they can bid on repairing it.

:shrug:

[fasttense]

19. And do they have tolls on these roads? n/t

[LightningFlash]

20. Only in Amerika!!!

When are we all going to picket riot in the streets.....Together. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[cmd]

21. Water will be next

He who controls the water will control the world.

[tanyev]

22. Also,

I know I read a thread here alleging that a lot of money was laudered through the companies that run the toll roads in Florida and Ohio. And that cash was used to steal the election. Think of what they could do with loyal Republican companies running the toll roads in every single state.

EDIT: I found the thread. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=377130

[Toots]

23. I believe this may be found unconstitutional

Any American should have unfettered access to travel throughout America without having to pay for it. The land belongs to us and there are public right of ways that grant us access to travel. Some roads may be leased to Private Industry but certainly not all. They can not obstruct access by putting a monotarty value upon it. Some people can not afford it and that should not have any bearing on whether they can travel or not.