Former Pennsylvania House Speaker John M. Perzel of Philadelphia displayed an arrogant, self-serving attitude over the misguided, ill-fated legislative pay-raise vote of July 2005.

But what he is saying now regarding Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike, possibly to a foreign company, for 75 years is not misguided and self-serving. His thoughts on the issue are geared to the best interests of this state and motorists who use the toll road.

State residents should reflect on what Perzel is saying and become steadfast in demanding that public hearings be held statewide on the lease proposal and that the plan then be presented to the voters by way of an election referendum.

There is too much at stake for the issue to be left to the whims of politicians looking for a quick fix for the state's highway, bridge and mass-transit woes, while ignoring the longer-term financial stability that continued control of the turnpike offers.

"The governor's claim that the state could make $10 billion from leasing the turnpike for 75 years is a gross misrepresentation," Perzel said in a statement. "More than $3 billion would be required to retire the turnpike's debt. Another $1 billion would go to massive transition costs that the state would have to pay. Within minutes of the deal's signing, taxpayers would realize a 40 percent loss.

"Setting aside the commercial consequences of placing this major inter-state transportation artery in the hands of a private foreign company, Gov. Rendell's promise to invest the remaining money and use the interest for bridge and road repairs leaves the door open for a future governor to raid this fund for other uses.

"The remaining $6 billion would be easily devoured within 10 years, leaving the turnpike in private foreign hands for 65 years with no financial benefit to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

"Putting this type of crucial government asset in private foreign hands would leave both commercial and non-commercial turnpike users defenseless to the whims and profit-driven motives of a foreign enterprise with unacceptable levels of unchecked power."

He's right. Motorists would face the prospect of higher tolls with no representative recourse to challenge the actions of the private turnpike operator.

And, the former speaker, who now holds the position of speaker emeritus, also is correct in warning about a larger potential risk:

"The east-west turnpike that connects Pittsburgh and Philadelphia also serves to connect the rest of the state with interlocking state and interstate federal highways that are crucial in an emergency, as well as for transportation of military cargo from Pennsylvania's military supply depots to the Port of Philadelphia and beyond.

"Do we really want the road used by our military and the state police controlled by foreign investors with no stake in Pennsylvania's security?"

Rendell wants Pennsylvanians to subsidize the state's highways through a 12.5-cent increase in the gasoline tax. But Perzel alleges that this state has been remiss in collecting the gas tax from commercial vehicles that fuel-up in NewJersey on their way to Ohio over Pennsylvania roads.

The former House speaker also contends that Pennsylvania could borrow money for road repairs with a 30-year loan funded through the same tolls private companies would impose — and keep the turnpike in Pennsylvania's hands.

No matter how the majority of state residents view Perzel in the aftermath of the 2005 pay-raise fiasco, they should appreciate his coming forward with another perspective regarding the turnpike-lease proposal.

The Butler Eagle said in an editorial on Jan. 4 that "the turnpike belongs to the people of this state and they should have a say in such a dramatic move." That opinion remains.

The people must ask themselves whether they feel that a one-time lease payment is preferable to a steady stream of about $600 million a year in toll revenue.

Rendell's enthusiasm over leasing what is known as the "Granddaddy of Superhighways" to some private interest is wrapped around purported benefits that seem too good to be true.

And, when something looks too good to be true, it's time for a red flag signaling that people should take a step back and look deeper into the issue.

That is the message behind Perzel's statement, and it should be heeded.