News
FL: West Palm mulls privatizing redevelopment; some residents question the how and why. The city’s plan to privatize its Community Redevelopment Agency went public today with CRA director Kim Briesemeister portraying the move as an efficiency measure for the city, not a boon for her private company. Palm Beach Post
NY: NY State to privatize Long Island utility, freeze rates – Gov Cuomo. New York lawmakers announced a deal on Wednesday to privatize utility operations on Long Island and revamp the Long Island Power Authority, a state-owned New York utility company that was criticized for its response during last year’s Superstorm Sandy. The deal, announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, includes a rate freeze through 2015. Reuters
KS: Brownback donor’s company gets child support contract. A Mississippi company run by one of Gov. Sam Brownback’s donors was awarded a contract to administer Kansas child support services last week, two years after the state hired one of the firm’s former employees to head up the child support division….The company’s CEO, Robert Wells, and his wife, Pam Wells, both gave maximum $2,000 donations to Brownback’s campaign during the 2010 primary cycle. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, said the contract had the appearance of an insider’s “pay-to-play” deal. “In my opinion, they looked at Brownback as a guy who supports the idea of privatization of government services,” Hensley said. “But to me it’s readily apparent there was also an intent to get the business. I think it’s beyond ideology.” Topeka Capital Journal
LA: Privatization backed for LSU’s Bogalusa hospital. Another LSU hospital privatization contract with missing financial details received approval Wednesday from the university system’s Board of Supervisors, this one to turn over management of the rural Bogalusa hospital next year. San Francisco Chronicle
PA: Three key questions about PA’s newest liquor privatization proposal. The long-awaited state Senate liquor privatization plan was unveiled Tuesday, leaving lawmakers with less than two weeks to get a bill to Gov. Corbett’s desk. Philly.com