NH is in the hole too - let's sell something? - Granite Grok

NH is in the hole too – let’s sell something?

Always and again, one needs to get down to basics – in this time of hard economic times, what are our priorities?  This is especially at the family level but works well with government.  In times flush with cash, programs get expanded in scope and in number.  When the bad times come, politicians necks start swiveling like a bobble-head trying to find ways to fill in the financial gaps.

This article has a list of assets that various States are looking at to top-off their coffers; it also shows how far afield governments have gone from their primary mission:

States consider selling off roads, parks

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota is deep in the hole financially, but the state still owns a premier golf resort, a sprawling amateur sports complex, a big airport, a major zoo and land holdings the size of the Central American country of Belize...

…Like families pawning the silver to get through a tight spot, states such as Minnesota, New York, Massachusetts and Illinois are thinking of selling or leasing toll roads, parks, lotteries and other assets to raise desperately needed cash.

…Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has hinted that his January budget proposal will include proposals to privatize some of what the state owns or does. The Republican is looking for cash to help close a $5.27 billion deficit without raising taxes…

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering putting the Massachusetts Turnpike in private hands. That could bring in upfront money to help with a $1.4 billion deficit, while also saving on highway operating costs.

In New York, Democratic Gov. David Paterson appointed a commission to look into leasing state assets, including the Tappan Zee Bridge north of New York City, the lottery, golf courses, toll roads, parks and beaches. Recommendations are expected next month.

…"Infrastructure is more attractive today than ever," Gilroy said. "It’s tangible. It’s a road. It’s water. It’s an airport. It’s something that is—you know, you hear the term recession-proof."…

…Indiana, for example, brought in $3.8 billion in 2006 by leasing the Indiana Toll Road for 75 years. Chicago stands to collect $2.5 billion by leasing Midway Airport, if the federal government approves, and has raised an additional $3.5 billion since 2005 through deals for the Chicago Skyway toll road, parking ramps and parking meters…

…Fisher said some public properties belong in private hands, such as Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort, a top-rated getaway in Biwabik, and Ironworld, a museum and library in Chisholm. Both are owned and subsidized by Iron Range Resources, a state agency.

"Certainly those things could be privatized, I think without harm to the state, but I don’t know that you could find the right buyer," Fisher said. 

Well, we do have an example here in NH that seems to get attention all the time – Cannon Mountain Ski Area.  Tell me, if the primary purpose of government is to secure and defend people rights (as opposed to fulfilling all their winter-wonderland fantasies), why the heck does NH have to own a ski area? 

Really, if one was to really decide what the proper role of state government should be, how far up the list would Cannon be – and how far up the list SHOULD it be?  I wonder how much it would fetch…

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