Dems and Labor Respond to Lottery Privatization Proposal

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

Most privatization schemes cooked up by Republicans are considered DOA in the Democratic controlled legislature. That is not the case with Arnold's plan to hand the state's lottery over to a private firm. The Democratic leadership is at least open to hearing more about it. LAT:

This time, some Democrats are leaving the door ajar.

"It's worth at least taking a look," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles). "Generally, we don't like contracting out. We see it as a way to short-shrift state employees. This is a little bit different….The question for us is whether we are maximizing our ability to generate significant revenues from lottery. Everything we are looking at preliminarily says that, right now, we are not….

"I'm circumspect, but this deserves an opportunity to at least be fleshed out."

Senate Leader Don Perata (D-Oakland) took a similar view, saying he believes it is lawmakers' job to "turn everything upside down and shake it and see what comes out."

Others were not nearly as charitable.

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