Should the Ohio Turnpike be run by a private corporation?

Just about the only thing I disagree 100% with Governor Kasich on. We are lucky to have such an asset in our turnpike. I believe we should keep it run by the state.

Continue to work hard to create jobs and the tax situation for our state will figure itself out.

Kasich lacks the foresight to recognize, and the integrity to admit, that selling or leasing the Turnpike to a private concern will give the state a one-time-only cash infusion, after which the state will have lost a valuable, profitable asset. After the one-time-only bonanza is gone, we'll be in worse shape than we are now.

We can look at our neighbors to the west - Indiana - to see an example of why privatizing the Turnpike is a bad idea, especially for the residents of the state.

What ever happened to Then Gov Rhoades promise to the citizens of Ohio that the Turnpike would pay for its self and eventually be free.......could it be that a politician lied to us???? tell me it ain't so.

the gov is right....downsize gov/union employees that are paid to run/maintain the turnpike...saves us all alot of money. all expenses included, the state is not making any money on the turnpike...not hard to figure out.

The question really does Ohio sell, lease or have a 3rd party manage the turnpike. The last option is to keep the pike and have the Governor appoint a turnpike comissioner to do a better job managing the NE Ohio asset. I vote for better management on the comission. Selling only converts a NE Ohio asset to cash for Columbus to use where ever in the state (read not NE Ohio). Leasing maintains ownership but transfers cost of employees and upkeep from the state for a distant future. The big question is what if the leasee defaults and leave the state worse off. Again lease money of the asset travels south. Having a 3rd party manage the pike only shifts employee burden cost from the state in agreement to manage hopfully at a reduced labor cost. Ohio needs to be reminded that trucking across the Ohio turnpike is the live blood of this nations most important supply chain. That is real power for the future.

dimebag - how many mortgages did you have to take out on your house to travel the Indiana 'Pike? Don't even try to say the price didn't go up SIGNIFICANTLY.

no bs, and the Ohio turnpike hasn't raised their rates??? Have you driven the PA turnpike ---they ALL have raised their prices because they know the road will be used.

dimebag -- good for you -- but I think you're full of $hit...now go over and stand with the other 22% of Ohioans who think it's a good idea.

The Indiana pike is a joke and tolls have doubled there since the sell, it is also going bankrupt. Ohio tax dollars are not used for the pike. In fact, the pike increases tax dollars to the surrounding communities. Don't sell this asset. The one time cash will be spent and a few of our governors friends will get rich. NE Ohio will suffer for decades.

fattynskinny- no wonder your user name is an oxymoron.

commoncitizen - if you think the Ohio Turnpike has raised its rates, let it go private, and you ain't seen nothin' yet!

Faith has it right - the Ohio Turnpike costs us taxpayers nothing. Kasich is looking for as large a pile of money as he can gather, and then, just like when he was with Lehman Bros, the state will collapse and Kasich will slither away with his fortune intact.

khuz...apparently your job is treatened ...good luck with that..lol

typo ...threatened