Labor, environmental, and community groups say turning over government services to private operators is a bad idea.
The groups, called the New Jersey Coalition on Privatization, are urging state and local governments to think twice before rushing to privatize public agencies and functions.
They say cash-strapped governments are tempted to privatize operations and services like garbage collection or park operations.
But, they say privatization rarely saves money, often results in inferior services, leads to public worker layoffs, and invites corruption.
New Jersey Tenants Association Director Matt Shapiro is worried about back door deals, according to NJ.com. He told the Web site, "Don’t you think it might be a little tempting to some of these companies to slip a little something under the table to a friendly government official who might possibly help them get a contract?"
Gov. Chris Christie is moving to privatize highway toll collections and other services.
His current budget assumes $50 million in savings from privatizing unspecified services.
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The group supports a constitutional amendment that would add public input and transparency to the privatization process.
