Criticism may not slow plans by governor
A letter signed by a majority of state lawmakers urging Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration to postpone a plan to outsource jobs on college campuses and other state-owned property is only the latest sign of deep reservations surrounding the project.
Seventy-five state lawmakers on Monday signed the letter, delivering yet another blow to the controversial proposal.
In the letter to Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry Martin, signed by Republicans and Democrats from both chambers, the lawmakers ask to delay the outsourcing plan to allow “enough time to address concerns from the General Assembly.”
“Our reservations include the potential impact to state
employees,” the letter read. “We respectfully request that the outsourcing process wait until the General Assembly is able to study and understand the effects on our public services, economy, and state workers.”
Local lawmakers signing the letter included Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga; Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga; Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah; Rep. Mark Gravitt, R-East Ridge, and Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma.
Workers’ rights advocates, including a union representing campus workers, have blasted Haslam for prioritizing money over state workers and their families. College leaders have predicted the change would hurt services on campus.
And lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have been skeptical of the state’s suggestion that privatizing building and grounds management at colleges, state parks and other properties could save the state about $35 million a year.
Haslam has said each campus will get to decide if it wants to participate in the outsourcing deal brokered by the state. But he has insisted the savings would be possible without cutting jobs or benefits for existing state workers. And Monday he defended the plan to outsource facilities management, including building oversight, energy management, repairs, janitorial services and groundskeeping.
Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, who took the lead in shaping the letter with help from workers’ advocates, said the state’s math didn’t make sense to him.
“I do not understand where the savings could come from if it’s the same number of employees making the same wages with the same benefits,” Dickerson said. “They’re taking a slice out of the pie and I don’t know where they’re getting it.”
So far, criticism has done little to blunt the governor’s momentum. In March, the state announced it was negotiating a contract with Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle — a company that already oversees some state property — clearing the way for the plan to take effect. JLL has signed the contract and the state is reviewing it.
In an email responding to questions about the lawmakers’ letter, the spokeswoman for the state office overseeing the outsourcing plan did not suggest it would slow down.
“We are in the process of reaching out to legislators to answer questions they may have,” spokeswoman Michelle R. Martin said Tuesday.
Later Tuesday, Dickerson said he had not heard from the administration. But he said he was hopeful the show of force from a majority of legislators would have an effect.
“I do think it carries a certain clout,” Dickerson said.
Thomas Walker, spokesman for United Campus Workers, said the letter, and its broad base of support, could provide political cover for college leaders who want to opt out of the outsourcing plan.
“They know that they have some alliances in the General Assembly who are supportive,” Walker said.
Contact Adam Tamburin at atamburin@tennessean.com or 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.
“I do not understand where the savings could come from if it’s the same number of employees making the same wages with the same benefits.” – SEN. STEVE DICKERSON, R-NASHVILLE