ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Goodwin Resigns Turnpike Post

Protests Lease/ Sale Of Turnpike



Bruce Goodwin

Bruce Goodwin

Calling it “the only tool I had left,” Bruce Goodwin, state representative of Fulton, Defiance, and Williams counties (74th District), resigned his post on the Ohio Turnpike Commission.

He tendered his resignation from the non-voting position, Tuesday, June 28.

Goodwin (R-Defiance) resigned in response to the presence of language in the state budget that will transfer authority for any contracts selling or leasing the Ohio turnpike to the state’s Director of Development and Budget Director.

“This would take all power away from the Commission and legislature [when it comes to the turnpike],” said Goodwin.

Of Goodwin’s many concerns, he expressed dismay that the item was not a separate bill and dealt with in the budget.

Opposed Process

“It was just not the way it should have been done,” he said.

“I wanted it as a separate bill so that we [in the statehouse] could go over testimony and evidence about this great asset of northern Ohio and act accordingly.”

Goodwin also attempted to offer amendments to the language that would have guaranteed that funds from such a lease would stay in the areas near the turnpike.

“The way it is now, the administration can take the money and spread it all

Ohio,” said Goodwin.

“That wasn’t something I felt was good for the people of northern Ohio and the people in my district.”

Goodwin was successful, through efforts with state senator Cliff Hite (R-Findlay), whose district includes Fulton County, to require any contracts negotiated by the Director of Development and budget director be approved by the General Assembly.

“The language is better than it was, but it still isn’t something I could support,” said Goodwin.

Goodwin’s resignation was, he admits, “really just trying to get my message out against this. And frankly, I don’t want to be part of a body, a commission, that will be toothless as a result.”

Money for Infrastructure

Rob Nichols, a spokesman for John Kasich, Ohio governor, said that while “there is language in the budget for the possibility of such a lease or sale, no decision has been made.”

However, when asked about any discussions or possibilities of the lease, Nichols pointed to the benefits the administration would see from such a lease.

“There’s potential for more than a billion dollars for infrastructure alone from such a deal,” said Nichols.

Nichols emphasized that any possible sale or lease would benefit northern Ohio.

“Given the state of our roads, bridges, and harbors, the possibility to infuse over a billion dollars into them is something that is being considered.”

Any such development would benefit “logistics and commerce. Which creates jobs, which benefits all Ohioans,” said Nichols.

Goodwin expressed concern about the amount of money the state would get from such a lease.

“The administration has talked about getting anywhere from $2.5 to $2.8 billion in such a sale. We should be contemplating anywhere from $4 to $6 billion,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin pointed to the recent lease by Indiana of its turnpike as an example.

“Indiana leased their turnpike for $3.8 billion. And we have more mileage.

“I don’t want to see this great asset given away in a fire sale," said Goodwin.

The Ohio turnpike has a total of 241.26 miles compared to 158.28 for Indiana.

Goodwin was joined in his opposition to the proposal by county commissioners for Fulton and Wood counties. Both groups drafted letters opposing the move in February.


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