ST. PAUL, Minn. – 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.
Valuables like these are in for a closer look as 44 states
cope with deficits.
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.
