NJ Lawmakers Consider Privatizing Some State Services
by KYW's David Madden
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is reviewing a task force report on privatizing state services in the name of economy.The 61 page report lists recommended changes in eight different departments and agencies and came after just four months of work. John Galandak, president of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, was one of the panel's five members:
"We met with most, if not all cabinet officials or a key person in every department. We also met with the public sector unions and any other interested parties and ultimately also had three public hearings that were well announced and created a web site."
Top on the list is saving $28 million a year by closing auto inspection stations. The report also recommends privatizing, among other things, turnpike toll collection, prison services, bus routes even state park concessions all of which could save the state $210 million annually.
