PIRGIM is part of U.S. PIRG, the Federation of State PIRGs. PIRG progress in other states paves the way for progress in Michigan. Here’s a quick report.

TOLL ROAD TAKEOVER—Advocates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas—three states facing potential privatization of roads—used research and public opposition to stall plans to turn over control of public roads.

The actions of the governors represent a reversal of a national trend exemplified in Chicago and Indiana, where officials accepted large short-term revenue from toll operating companies at the expense of public ownership of their roads. U.S. PIRG, the Federation of State PIRGs, opposes private ownership because private companies are more likely to make decisions based on profit than public safety.

In New Jersey, after NJPIRG met with the state’s treasurer, ran a petition drive, and maintained a strong presence in the media, public opinion stiffened against that state’s proposed private road deal.

NJPIRG Executive Director Allison Cairo said, “The governor’s pledge was particularly satisfying given that it echoed many points NJPIRG had pushed. The devil will still be in the details, so we’re continuing to watch the governor’s actions.”

In Pennsylvania, PennPIRG was the lead group opposing Gov. Rendell’s plans to sell off the Pennsylvania Turnpike, appearing in multiple media articles on the topic. Victory was declared in late June when the governor officially took the idea off the table.

In Texas our position paper established TexPIRG as the authority on toll-road privatization in what is sure to be a continuing battle. Legislators overrode Gov. Perry’s veto and placed a moratorium on similar road deals. Various forms of toll-road privatization have been proposed in 24 other states, and U.S. PIRG’s Senior Analyst Phineas Baxandall reports that we’ll continue to serve as watchdog on the lookout for bad road deals.