New York Gov. David A. Paterson is looking to save the state money wherever he can, and should be commended for seeking creative solutions in tight economic times.
But the idea of leasing state assets to private contractors seems unwise. Having private enterprise take over the New York State Thruway, the Tappan Zee Bridge and other state infrastructure invites inconsistency and shifts state accountability to the private sector.
In particular, New York's infrastructure should remain state-financed and state-managed. New York should not have its highways, ports and bridges run by a variety of companies.
Maintaining infrastructure is one of the chief and ongoing tasks for state government. Leasing assets in this sector could confuse the lines of responsibility.
To whom does the public complain about road conditions under a public-private system? To the firm that has leased the road or the state which has the ultimate responsibility to maintain it?
There is something to be said for uniformity and consistency in operating, say, state parks throughout New York. Those parks belong to the people whom the government represents. When you visit a park in this state, you have an idea of what to expect in terms of facilities, procedures and rules.
Private enterprises are concerned with making a profit and answer to customers as it suits their interests. State government has been created for a different purpose, and ultimately is answerable to the people.
Other states are experimenting with public-private partnerships. The governor is creating a commission to examine such arrangements and explore the possibilities of implementing something similar in New York.
As the governor says, "the private sector can be a source of innovation, allowing us to increase the value, efficiency and safety of assets like our aging infrastructure system."
New York can benefit from private expertise without putting corporations in charge of its assets. For the purposes of state government, let's keep the line between public and private clearly drawn in New York.