http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/13/weld_pitches_sal... Quoted text copyright (c) 2007 by the Boston Globe Weld pitches sale of lottery, Pike Seeks backing of state leaders By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff  |  June 13, 2007, Wednesday Former governor William F. Weld, a staunch supporter of privatization during his administration, has reemerged in the halls of the State House, now as a corporate lawyer trying to drum up support for the sale of lucrative state assets. In the past week, Weld has met with the governor's staff, state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, state Auditor Joseph DeNucci, and House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, pitching the idea of privatizing the lottery and transportation infrastructure such as the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Tobin Bridge, according to several state officials. [end of quotes from article] Comment: Privatization has its uses, especially for beneficial new projects that won't be done with taxpayer money. I oppose, however, privatization that will lock in bad policy decisions. (1)  When the State controls the lottery and other gambling operations, it has the ability (even if it doesn't use it) to restrain the spread of gambling addiction and related crime.  Once it privatizes gambling, however, there will be major contractual hurdles to correcting mistakes. (2)  If the Mass Pike is privatized, removing tolls will become much more difficult.  Other measures to improve traffic alternatives and reduce congestion could be blocked, if a private operator of the Mass Pike claimed an adverse impact on his toll earnings.