A New Jersey bid to privatize water without public votes

[ellenrr]

If approved by Gov. Christie, bill would give municipalities with aging pipes right to sell systems to private companies.

A bill that would allow New Jersey municipalities to sell their public water utilities to private, for-profit corporations without putting the measure to voters is awaiting Gov. Chris Christie’s signature.

Until now, any municipality in New Jersey that sought to sell off its water system to a private bidder had to hold a public vote. But a bill passed with bipartisan support by the state’s Senate last week would allow municipalities with aging and deteriorating water systems to put their systems up for sale without holding a referendum.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/29/new-jersey-waterprivatization.html

if you want to get involved in the fight this is the org to join:
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/

[hibbing]

1. oh great

American capitalism as its best, socialize the cost, privatize the profits.

Peace

[SamKnause]

2. The end game;

to sell off everything our tax dollars paid for.

[elehhhhna]

4. the end game is actually to profitize the commons and utilities

Imagine the opportunities for graft in awarding those kind caring companies.
Enron was going into private water utilities when it imploded. Nuff said.

[Hoppy]

3. Keep in mind. Citizens want to keep taxes low.

They also don't want to pay to maintain the water system. Jersey City and Union City have a couple of water main breaks along Rt 1. every winter.

Yes, that Rt. 1. It shuts down traffic for hours or sometimes a full day.

This is just one example of the need to upgrade infrastructure. The choices are to raise taxes to upgrade the systems or sell the systems. What politician in his right mind is going to raise taxes?