I don't care where it began Rick supported and promoted it.
Back then, that was the essence of the GOP. Move away from taxes to user fees(tolls). Get the govt out of it and let the private sector build and operate the roads. In the 90s they knew that ending pay as you go would be controversial but they had no idea that anyone would oppose the roads.
So what happened? A populist wave swept thru the GOP and the populists opposed the roads. Behind the scenes there were groups such as developers, large cities, and others who were fomenting the populist opposition.
Now, here it is several years later, and the populist wave is wider and taller than it was then. Now, the populists are not just willing to challenge on issues, but are trying to take over the republican party.