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.