In Wisconsin, Governor Walker's Secret Privatization Agenda

Selling off state assets with no bids hidden In the fine print of Budget Repair Bill

Not only is Wisconsin governor Scott Walker using the budget deficit as ploy to flatten unions, he also quietly inserted a clause into this Budget Repair Bill that would sell off state owned power plants without taking bids.

Bill 16.896: “Sale or contractual operation of state−owned heating, cooling, and power plants. (1) Notwithstanding ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.705 (1), the department may sell any state−owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state. Notwithstanding ss. 196.49 and 196.80, no approval or certification of the public service commission is necessary for a public utility to purchase, or contract for the operation of, such a plant, and any such purchase is considered to be in the public interest and to comply with the criteria for certification of a project under s. 196.49 (3) (b).”

(Thanks to Ana Micka for the tip)