What do we need? [Charleston Gazette, The (WV)]

With the coal market softening, natural gas prices swooning and competition for gambling revenue increasing, let's get serious about cutting non-core state government programs and services.

Some have been discussed before, like privatization of state parks and the sale of Tamarack. Some have actually occurred, like privatization of liquor sales.

Many state agencies seem essential. But many are not. The fact that there are lots of possibilities for shrinking state government came to mind this past week when it was reported that the state still prints and distributes paper highway maps, even though there are alternatives. Some states haven't printed road maps for years, letting the private sector take care of the need instead.

Why does the state continue to publish the Blue Book - the guide to government employees, agencies and other state information? Why not put the information online, where it could be easily (and cheaply) updated? Why not put it out for bid and see if any private companies would publish it at no cost to the taxpayers?

Why does the state Division of Natural Resources publish Wonderful West Virginia magazine? Couldn't a private publishing company do this?

I've mentioned several publications because, as a journalist, they catch my eye. But there are many other state enterprises that might be turned over to the private sector. Some privatization ideas might seem outrageous now but may seem less so in coming years. Here are a few privatization proposals, to get the discussion going:

* Why is the state operating a system of hospitals, including the William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital, Hopemont and Lakin Hospital?

* Does the state Department of Education really need the Cedar Lakes Conference Center?

* Why does the state fund special-interest organizations like the Coal Heritage Highway Authority?

* Is it time to let West Virginia Public Broadcasting sink or swim on its own?

* If the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority is a success, why can't it be privatized?

* The Tourism Division does wonderful things, but should it receive state funding?

* Does the state really need the Massage Therapy Licensure Board, the Board of Professional Surveyors, the Board of Social Work Examiners, and all of the other boards that regulate professions? How many are actually in place to create a barrier to entry?

* Has anybody considered privatizing the Public Employees Insurance Agency? The state got out of the workers' compensation insurance business in 2006. Since then, workers' comp rates have decreased a total of 51.8 percent.

* Is the Women's Commission needed?

All of these agencies, boards, commissions and programs are sacred cows. Each has a constituency with a vested interest in seeing them perpetuated. Many of these entities want to convince you they should get bigger.

And, of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As I near retirement, I'm not sure I would want to see the Bureau of Senior Services disappear.

But we could have the discussion.