Dec 28 Going From Public to Private?

I read with great pleasure that some state properties may become privatized (if Governor Pawlenty and congress agree on it) to help with our $5.27 billion state deficit. Here are some of the items up for grabs (from Fox News):

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.

GOP lawmakers are pushing to privatize the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the state lottery. Both steps require a higher authority — federal legislation in the case of the airport, a voter-approved constitutional amendment for the lottery. But one lawmaker estimated an airport deal could bring in at least $2.5 billion, and the lottery $500 million.

It's a good start, and a great way to chip away the DFL-lead spendathon that helped get us in the hole so deep. Some items may be difficult to sell:

David Fisher, who managed Minnesota's state-owned properties a few years ago under former Gov. Jesse Ventura, warned that the state has a hard time finding buyers for properties such as old mental institutions.

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.

Rep.Tom Rukavina will likely stir things up with Governor Pawlenty on those two items and other cuts when legislature convenes in January. Expect an interesting 2009 legislative session.

Cross-posted and comments welcome at FreedomDogs.