Privatization

Privatizing Local Civic Services to Save Cash

Cities across the country are being forced to outsource or privatize many of their basic civic services like janitors, police and trash collectors due to huge budget deficits. The moves are saving millions.

July 21, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Outsourced City

The City of Maywood, California has completely outsourced all of its civic services and turned local officials into contract workers. Though some worried the city would crumble, it's actually taken a turn for the better.

July 20, 2010 - The New York Times

Privatize the Ocean?

With the devastating spill of oil in the Gulf, this post from The National Review suggests taking control over off-shore drilling out of the hands of government and putting it into the hands of private interests.

June 14, 2010 - The National Review

Privatized Transit: Who Profits?

Yonah Freemark argues that encouraging developers to build their own transit (as Christopher Leinberger recently argued) could be highly problematic.

May 18, 2010 - Next American City

Want Rail? Let Private Business Build It

Christopher B. Leinberger proposes that privatized rail could stimulate the economy and help increase property values.

May 14, 2010 - The Atlantic Monthly

Free Parking in Atlanta, To Punish Privatized Meter Readers

The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to approve a 30-day moratorium on enforcing the city's privately managed parking meters.

May 6, 2010 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

One Latvian Town For Sale, Cheap

A secret Russian military facility abandoned by the Russian military when the Soviet Union collapsed was sold at auction on Friday by the Latvian government. Officials celebrated the sale and hoped it could bring new life to the empty town.

February 6, 2010 - The Huffington Post

Parking For Dollars

Los Angeles explores the possibility of selling off parking garages to manage a budget crisis.

February 1, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

London For Sale

Britain is becoming increasingly privatized as urban regeneration projects put entire neighborhoods in the hands of developers. One project spans 34 of Liverpool's streets, putting public space in private control.

December 31, 2009 - The Guardian U.K.

Chicago's Private Parking Meter Bungle

Chicago's decision to privatize its parking meters seems to be a loss for the city, as new data shows the city could have made much more money in the long term had they maintained operational management.

November 22, 2009 - The New York Times

Stimulus Success and Challenges in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico seems to be at the head of the pack in terms of jobs created by the federal stimulus bill. But the news isn't all sunny from the island territory, as the governor moves to slash thousands of public sector jobs.

November 4, 2009 - Christian Science Monitor

Reversing a Federal Transit Rule - But Only in Washington State?

A federal pro-privatization transit rule, which prevents local transit agencies from competing with private bus services on providing service to special events, could see an end in Washington State with this year's transportation spending bill.

September 23, 2009 - DC Streetsblog

End Of The Infrastructure Privatization Craze

It was hailed as the solution to America's infrastructure spending deficit, but the influx of private funds has come to halt along with the failure of banks and the huge investment from the Recovery Act. Plus, many schemes aroused taxpayers wrath.

June 8, 2009 - The New York Times - Economy

Public Parks Seeking Private Funding in Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida is hoping private funding will come through to save the city's parks, which officials say they can't afford to build or maintain.

May 8, 2009 - The Florida Times-Union

Privatized Town Going Public

A Georgia town that had outsourced its municipal services to a private company is ending its contract, citing budgetary restraints.

May 7, 2009 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

New Study Warns Against Privatizing Roads

The U.S. PIRG Education Fund has released a study of privatized toll roads across the United States, and concludes that they pose 'a long-term threat to the public interest.'

April 6, 2009 - U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Parking Privatization Idea Has Pittsburgh Officials Seeing Green

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is considering a plan to raise extra money for his city by leasing public parking spaces and garages to a private company.

January 18, 2009 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Chicago Privatizes Parking

For $1.16 billion, Chicago Parking Meters LLC, has won the rights to manage Chicago's parking meters. This is one step the city has taken to ease budget shortfalls.

December 4, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

China's Historic Land Reform

China's Communist ruling party has agreed to allow farmers to transfer land use rights for farming. The plan is designed to consolidate landholdings, discourage uneconomic farmers, and boost rural incomes for 750 million people.

October 29, 2008 - Christian Science Monitor

First Privatized Airport In U.S.?

Midway Airport may become the first U.S. airport to be privatized if the 99-year lease for $2.52 billion is approved by the City Council and F.A.A., following in the footsteps of privatizing the Chicago Skyway toll road in 2005.

October 2, 2008 - The New York Times

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