Parking privatization has received a lot of attention recently because of nationwide city-budget shortfalls and a high-profile privatization of Chicago’s meters. Chicago’s deal, one in a series of privatization deals the Daley administration proposed, netted the city over $1 billion. A windfall of cash certainly is tempting for any Mayor looking for a quick fix to get out of a recession ravaged budget. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, seeking a way to raise revenue without raising taxes, couldn’t avoid the temptation. Currently, a proposed parking privatization deal is up for approval in Indianapolis. Judging by what can be learned from the Indianapolis deal, however, Milwaukee would be wise to stay away.

For General Mitchell International Airport and the citizens of the Milwaukee-area, 2009 will certainly be a year to remember. Discussions came and went on the privatization of the airport as a means to bailout the poor fiscal position of Milwaukee County. Hometown airline Midwest Airlines changed hands for a second time, this time to Republic Airways, a company that will certainly operate the business in a much different fashion than Midwest traditionally has run. And finally, Southwest Airlines started service at the airport, triggering a pricing war with low-cost rival AirTran.

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