Governor David Paterson has signed an executive order to explore public private partnerships for some projects, saying he wants to help save the state money in the future.

Paterson, in a statement, says he’ll appoint an 11 member commission that will decide how best to partner with the private sector. Possible collaborations that have been discussed in the past include privatizing part of the rebuilding of the Tappan Zee Bridge and the Thruway, or leasing out the lottery. Sean Maloney, a top aide to Governor Paterson, says nothing’s been decided yet, but he says one thing the commission won’t do, is provide a quick fix to bail out the budget.

“We’re not looking for some sort of silver bullet to avoid hard decisions on the budget”, said Maloney. “You are not going to see any gimmicks or one-shots from this governor.”

In the past, assets including Attica prison and parts of state highways have been sold off or leased to provide quick infusions of cash during tough financial times.

Aides to Paterson went out of their way to say that the partnerships won’t by- pass state worker union members, but did not promise that some jobs won’t be contracted out to private businesses.

The commission will hold public hearings around the state and issue a final report by the end of the year, with the hope of passing legislation in 2009.

Source: Public Broadcasting