Some of the least essential of government services involve recreational services such as golf courses and ski areas. While golf and skiing can be healthy and enjoyable pursuits, there's nothing about them that demands their provision by government.

The State of New York owns several ski areas. Budgetary concerns just might prompt the state to do the right thing and get out of the ski business at at least one location, Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, which has been around since 1947.

According to one news report, "State-owned Belleayre Mountain Ski Center might suffer the budget ax this year, experiencing severe cuts to its 2008-09 ski season operations."

The state should lease out the operation of the ski area to a private contractor. After all, some of the best ski areas in the country are on government land (in this case, the U.S. Forest Service), but operated, via an agreement, by private parties.