Can the various government agencies sell public assets if they can no longer afford to maintain those assets? If so, will I-695 limit this in any way?

Examples: Sell some parks if we can't afford to cut the grass?

"Privatize" the ferry system. Sell the ferries, but keep the terminals. Charge the "private" company a high lease to use the terminals. The private company increases ferry rates. Sell some roadways (e.g. Medina buys all of its roads and turns itself into a "gated" community.)

-- Gene (Eugene.Ma@Boeing.com), October 13, 1999

Answers

Good question. I suspect the answer is, some yes and some maybe. Governments declare assets surplus, and sell them, frequently. Adequate cause to declare something surplus may depend on public tolerance for disposal of the asset. Once surplus, these things are offered for sale. An interesting idea. In another thread, it was suggested that Seattle dispose of Seattle City Light, in this same way. Is it a good idea to force local governments into making such long term decisions to address a short term (?) funding problem?

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 13, 1999.

" Is it a good idea to force local governments into making such long term decisions to address a short term (?) funding problem? " Once a year everybody on fixed income gets to decide what to do to pay their MVET.

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), October 14, 1999.

Mark:

That may justify programs to help those on fixed incomes, but does not justify a tax cut for anyone else.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 21, 1999.