Bridges Over Troubled Waters: NY Bridges To Become “Private Property”

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

“And if you believe that one, there’s a bridge I can sell you”. This once, “tongue in cheek” perspective on the dangers of “naivety, may, soon be a modern day actuality.

In fact, Governor Patterson recently called an emergency session of the state Legislature, stating that due to a burgeoning budget deficit, that has left caused the state to have apparently burn all its financially bridges, it may now have to sell them off. In fact, the financial crisis is in such “deep water” that some roads and tunnels, may also be going up for sale.

The Governor cited a continually sinking economy with funds with profit-tax collections for the state’s 16 largest banks taking a 97 percent dive since June of 2007. And, the governor notes a deficit gap that was driven up 22 percent in just 90 days; as well as an expected 6.4 billion dollar deficit next year, a considerable increase from the $5 billion dollar deficit originally projected.

And, in addition to placing a cap on school property tax at 4 percent a year and taking action on a proposal to increase home-heating subsidies, Governor Patterson has suggested privatizing roads, tunnels and bridges, making them public rather than government property.

But, just what the does that mean for you and me? Well, according to Patterson, not much, since nothing, but legal ownership would change. Still others are leery of the sale of state assets since they claim that every time it was tried in the past, it wound up being nothing more than a “fiscal gimmick” that ,they suggest benefits no one in the long run.

Still, I think perhaps privatization “can” have its “perks”. Just think about it; independent ownership may entitle us to “red tag” sales, or crossing coupons and other such wonderful marketing ploys and promotions.

Better yet, maybe I can bid on a bridge, (though I’m not quite sure how selling price would be determined) and post a sign, noting that, (in true stereotypical New York attitude and style), “trespassers will be shot”.

Long Island Travel & Leisure Articles > Bridges Over Troubled Waters: NY Bridges To Become “Private Property”