Public-Private Partnerships, Please

KY3 News has a story (link via Combest) discussing MoDOT’s expected budget shortfall, because of the rapid increase in gas prices. The piece includes some commentary from Missouri’s three gubernatorial candidates, all three of whom agree that raising the gas tax is off the table and that other solutions must be found. While the articles does not explicitly state the candidates’ ideas, it does mention one solution offered by Rep. Kenny Hulshof:

Hulshof called the public private partnership idea (also known as some type of toll road) intriguing. “Imagine a parallel truck lane along Interstate 44 with just truck traffic that’s built with private funds,” Hulshof asked attendees during his hour session with the Chamber.

Here at the Show-Me Institute, we couldn’t be happier. David Stokes, an expert of sorts on public-private partnerships, has been advocating this type of solution for a long time, and recently gave a presentation in Mexico, Mo., discussing alternative ways to fund and fix the state’s roads. His policy study highlights the benefits of this type of partnership, and outlines the ways in which it can alleviate MoDOT’s budget problems. Although Hulshof stopped short of advocating public-private partnerships, it is good to hear that the idea is at least garnering some discussion.