January 7, 2008

Headlines

1. Investors eye leasing of state lottery.
2. Key VT lawmakers cool to governor’s proposal for leasing the lottery.
3. NH school district re-examines privatizing custodial staff.
4. Indiana Toll Road cash gives Ohio River bridges key support.
5. Privatizing airport could bring payoff for county, but chances are uncertain.

1. Investors eye leasing of state lottery. The Boston Globe reports that more than a dozen states have been approached about privatizing their lotteries. Investors like lotteries because of their steady revenue streams.

2. Key VT lawmakers cool to governor’s proposal for leasing the lottery. Governor Jim Douglas says he thinks Vermont can make a 1-time payment $50-million to put toward school costs if it leases the state lottery to a private company. But the idea has received a cool reception from key Democrats in the Legislature according to WCAX-TV.

3. NH school district re-examines privatizing custodial staff. The Dover, New Hampshire School District will be revisiting a decision to privatize custodial staff within the next six months according to the Fosters Daily Democrat.

4. Indiana Toll Road cash gives Ohio River bridges key support. Money from the Indiana Toll Road lease will help Indiana fund its $1.1 billion share of two new bridges that will span the Ohio River under a plan recently approved by the federal government says The Times.

5. Privatizing airport could bring payoff for county, but chances are uncertain. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that privatizing the operation of Mitchell International Airport could bring as much as $1 billion to the county, a tantalizing prospect that’s captured the attention of Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walke.

Reports

Military Base Realignments and Closures: Impact of Terminating, Relocating, or Outsourcing the Services of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology GAO-08-20 November 9, 2007 (53 pages). Highlights. Full Report.

Private Pensions: Low Defined Contribution Plan Savings May Pose Challenges to Retirement Security, Especially for Many Low-Income Workers GAO-08-8 November 29, 2007 (58 pages). Highlights. Full Report.