TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Last week, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist proposed selling the state’s lottery and some of its highways to private companies to help solve Florida’s financial dilemma, the Florida Lottery Web site reports.

Crist would like for lottery and transportation officials to look into how such a sale would impact the state’s bottom line, but said he’s not totally for the idea. “I don’t know if it’s good or bad at this point, but I think it's important to continue to be innovative,” said Crist. “It’s merely an idea. It’s not something I’m promoting.”

Because of a deficit in tax revenues attributed largely to a housing slump, state officials are examining ways to rebalance Florida’s $71 billion budget. The Legislature is tentatively scheduled to discuss that issue during a special session on September 18.

With revenue collections down close to $400 million in the budget year that ended June 30 –and with an expected shortfall of $1.1 billion this year, Crist signed a bill in June allowing private companies to build and operate toll roads in the state.

Now, he’s considering turning existing roads into toll highways through private companies, although Crist has not spoken yet with lawmakers about selling either the roads or the lottery.

“What I understand is that sometimes there are those in private industry who will give you significant upfront dollars, in the billions, for a lottery or for a road like Alligator Alley,” said Crist.

In control of both legislative chambers, the Republicans have been more willing than Democrats to allow public services, such as prisons and the state’s personnel operation, to be operated by private companies.