A 'gift' for generations to come

South Floridians were just handed an early Christmas present. We get to hold on to our national treasure, Alligator Alley, for a few more months.

The proposed sale of our asset has been postponed. Why? Because the economy has come to a screeching halt, or perhaps, some would say, has taken a nosedive. In other words, no $25,000 proposal deposit was received by FDOT on Dec. 22. No bidders. No takers. No deal.

Before we all lift a cup of cheer, be reminded that this is but a short hiatus. The Alley continues to be viewed by Gov. Charlie Crist as an easy, short-term fix for the state budget woes. Those budget woes will deepen next year. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (www.cbpp.org), Florida will face a $5.8 billion deficit in fiscal year 2009-10. That is estimated to be 22.6 percent of the general fund. The current $2.3 billion deficit (about 9 percent) pales in comparison.

Alarming numbers? Yes. Unforeseen numbers? Hardly.

With 44 states running a deficit budget today, one could scarcely expect the fourth most populated state — one of the leaders in the housing bubble explosion and subsequent implosion — to escape the draconian consequence of a recession. Proceeds from the Alligator Alley sale provided no plug in the financial cavity this year. Next year, that cavity will need a root canal.

As the deficit mushrooms, so will the desire by Gov. Crist to surrender public roads and public bridges to the highest bidder. The pool of bidders may shrink, their ability to finance 80 percent of the sale price may lessen, but their desire to invest in a relative monopoly with guaranteed and growing income will not diminish.

Pinellas Bayway in Pinellas County, Sunshine Skyway in St. Petersburg, Beach Line Expressway near Orlando have already made the Governor's "dream team." Alligator Alley in South Florida served as the proving ground. Rest assured the governor and FDOT will become more adept at handling impediments and hurdles. The pesky public will be schmoozed and bamboozled by public relations professionals with their glib political-speak. Look for the privatization process to proceed with lightning speed in the future. Just don't expect transparency or "Government in the Sunshine."

The public — whose tax dollars paid for the public asset — can be led like lemmings into the privatization cesspool, or they can secure their assets now and for future generations. Florida needs to pass legislation to protect public assets from privatization.

In 2005, the Supreme Court, in the 5-4 Kelo decision, allowed the use of eminent domain to transfer land from a private owner to another private owner in order to eliminate blight. Soon after, the vast majority of states enacted their own state laws severely inhibiting or limiting the use of eminent domain as liberally allowed by the Supreme Court ruling.

The time is now for our legislators to severely inhibit the Governor's plan to market public assets. Any grade-school student would see the folly in burning the furniture to heat the house. Every elected official knows this is but a short term Band Aid that does more harm than good to future state budgets.

Instead of a Christmas gift that is fleeting, how about a gift that lasts a lifetime or better yet, for generations? Keep the public in public assets — permanently and unequivocally. It's up to our legislators.