Commuters don't fall for plan to privatize Illinois' tollways
Are you a regular traveler along Illinois' toll roads? If so, chances are you're not in favor of a plan to privatize the system.
The Trib and WGN-TV recently completed a poll, and found both Republicans and Democrats alike were opposed in significant numbers.
Talk about a political kiss of death.
The statewide poll of likely primary voters, conducted Jan. 16 to 20, shows Democrats opposing privatization 72 percent to 14 percent, with 13 percent undecided. Republicans oppose the idea 65 percent to 16 percent, with 19 percent undecided.
Their reasoning? A great many of those polled felt the plan would lead to an increase in fees. Pretty sharp folks, it seems to me.
I've never fully understood it when states choose to sell off assets for one-time gains. Despite the windfall, the state, over the long-haul, comes up on the short end of the deal. If it didn't, no one would want to buy the asset in the first place.
It's not like a state is going anywhere. It will always need revenue.
Wisonsin has done it before, with little to show for the deal. In 2002 the Wisconsin Legislature sold 25 years worth of tobacco settlement payments that would have totaled over $4 billion.
They received $1.6 billion right away for the deal, but it helped balance only one budget.
Overall, Illinois and Illinois taxpayers will be much better off taking my quarters one at a time, and having them for years to come.
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