This thread discusses the Content article: States debate whether to dip into their rainy day funds

Governors and lawmakers tend to be reluctant to dip into the funds out of fear that, without the cushion, unpopular tax increases aren't far behind.

What does a bankrupt nation do? Start leasing its assets to foreigners!

Spain to run America's 1st superhighway?
$12.8 billion deal would turn over control of Pennsylvania Turnpike

May 19, 2008
WorldNet Daily

Stretching through the rural countryside with limited access and no speed limit in 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike was built to resemble Germany's autobahn. Now thanks to a $12.8 billion dollar offer, it may soon become Spain's.

According to a report in the Philadelphia Daily News, Gov. Ed Rendell has announced that Abertis Infraestructuras of Barcelona has offered the top dollar bid to the state of Pennsylvania for the rights to manage the toll road under a 75-year lease.

The highway could become just the latest in a string of U.S. infrastructure landmarks to be operated by foreign companies.
. . .
According to the newspaper report, the toll road plan with Abertis allows the newcomer to raise tolls 25 percent year and 2.5 percent or the rate of inflation every year after that.