As usual with Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, there was no mincing of words on his opposition to the proposed Mobile River Bridge and Bayway toll.

Ainsworth is a member of the Alabama Toll Road and Bridge Authority that could act on this toll and kill it outright.

Ainsworth cited his conservative principles and his fear that citizens on either side of these tolls will be trapped economically by the proposed six-dollar each-way toll.

This is an escalation.

Governor Kay Ivey, Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope), other elected officials and wannabe elected officials are now going to be on the defensive as the largest vote-getter in 2018 threw down the gauntlet.

Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) was asked about Ainsworth’s statement on WVNN radio and said that the lieutenant governor is a smart politician.

Interviewing on “The Dale Jackson Show,” Brooks said, “It means that Will Ainsworth is a very smart, intelligent lieutenant governor.”

Brooks added that he agrees with Ainsworth and believes “we should not have tolls in the state of Alabama.”

“And the reason we should not have them is because all they do is drive up the cost of operating our roads,” Brooks advised.

Listen:

My takeaway:

This seems to be a major marker in the toll debate, as more statewide politicians will now be asked to take positions on this stuff, and Ainsworth’s words will be used as a means to get comments.

It also seems Republican politicians now see where they probably need to be on this issue and are emboldened to speak out.

Take Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston), for example. Almost immediately after Ainsworth posted his video this morning, Marsh told Yellowhammer News that “a $6 toll is not fair or reasonable.”

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 am weekdays on WVNN.