December 3, 2012

News

NE: Foster care still reeling from privatization

Nebraska’s child welfare system is still suffering from the instability caused by the state’s privatization experiment, according to a report released Friday. Omaha World-Herald

IL: City Hall: Parking-meter firm’s math is off by more than $22 million

The private company in charge of Chicago’s parking-meter system is demanding more money from the city, saying revenue it’s lost from City Hall taking meters out of service and for having to provide free disability parking now comes to $61 million. But Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration says the company’s math is way off. City officials claim to have found more than $22 million in errors.  Chicago Sun-Times           

IL: Emanuel close to reviving Midway privatization — with key changes

Facing a Dec. 31 federal deadline, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has all but decided to test the privatization market for Midway Airport, but do it in a way dramatically different from the 99-year, $2.5 billion deal that collapsed for lack of financing. Chicago Sun-Times

OH: Ohio Farm Bureau opposes privatizing turnpike, tax hikes

The state’s largest agricultural group is not supporting the privatization of the Ohio Turnpike… Ohio Farm Bureau delegates representing all 88 counties voted to take the opposition stances during the group’s annual meeting in Columbus this week — a meeting that included an appearance from Kasich, who urged the bureau to support the proposals. Youngstown Vindicator

TX: Toll roads becoming bigger part of Texas highway plans

The state of Texas is relying more on the use of toll roads for its major transportation projects because the state’s transportation financing system lacks the resources to meet Texans’ needs. Bizjournals.com

OH: Higher fees predicted from privatizing city parking

Cincinnati city officials are considering a proposal to lease the city’s parking meters, garages and lots to a private company, but the plan is coming under fire by critics who say it could greatly increase parking prices.  Fox19

PA: Plan to privatize Pa. Lottery still in the works

After months of behind the scenes work, Gov. Tom Corbett’s office is still reviewing one British company’s bid on the Pennsylvania Lottery. Newsworks.org

PA: Sen. Richard Kasunic : More questions on lottery privatization

This lack of competition raises serious issues about the model the Corbett Administration has chosen to solicit privatization proposals and begs the question of whether Camelot’s bid reflects the best deal we can get if we are going to continue down this misguided path. The Tribune-Democrat

MI: Push-back on school privatization

Parents, teachers and school administrators are pushing back, fighting a package of education bills that they say will privatize schools in Michigan. WXYZ

CA: Council moves forward on waste privatization

The Fresno City Council voted to turn the city’s residential solid waste collection over to a private contractor late Thursday. Fresno Business Journal

FL: Judge Expects To Rule Quickly Over Prison Health Care Privatization Dispute

The jobs of about the three-thousand correctional employees’ jobs hang in the balance as a Leon Circuit Judge decides whether the state can privatize its prison health care services. WFSU

VA: Board to vote on rates increases for Dulles Toll Road

The board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is expected to vote to raise fees on the Dulles Toll Road. The toll increases are needed, in part, to fund construction of the Dulles Rail extension, the 23.1-mile project to extend Metro from Falls Church to Tysons, Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County. Washington Post