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Thursday, June 9, 2011

NJ Spotlight | The Push to Privatize

NJ Spotlight | The Push to Privatize

The Push to Privatize
In theory, outsourcing public services should save the state millions, but some ill-considered initiatives have ended up costing that much

Trenton's War Memorial theater is in the process of being privatized.

A year after announcing a major effort to privatize about 40 government services in order to save $210 million, the Christie administration is finishing up details on its two most significant deals to date: the transfer of operations of New Jersey Network (NJN) to outside management and the private leasing of the state’s two racetracks.

Neither deal is final. Negotiations with the track operators are ongoing, and the legislature must sign off on the NJN proposal. But once the details are hammered out, the move could net the state $30 million or more in savings and income.

The move to privatize services has met with mixed