Deadline is Dec. 20 to submit public comments to the state. There are other ways to make one's opinions known, but this gets it on the record. Here is a link to the state's site where you can submit your comments.
Here is a story in The Tennessean which shows how a Haslam campaign donor is helping whitewash the governor's scheme.
Another story, in Memphis Daily News.
Here is a story about Haslam's plan to demolish Fall Creek Falls inn and restaurant and privatize the park.
Op-ed by Tennessee Rep. John Ray Clemmons of Nashville.
Here is our comment:
Sub-contracting Tennessee government
functions to out-of-state corporations is no less than an act of treason and
betrayal on the part of the governor.
Here are but a few problems:
1—Loss of quality control. When
our employees and administrative staff operate under the wing of the state, we
have direct control over policy and practice. When these positions and
functions are subbed out, there is a disconnect that just cannot be
bridged. To get your own job done, have you ever had to depend on somebody
in a department in another state?
Productivity declines. Morale and
sense of purpose will suffer, and with management splintered among distant corporations, accountability and oversight will be difficult. Sub-contractors do not feel invested.
2—Myth of cost saving. The percentage of state resources going to do
the actual work will decline as corporate profits will become an added expense. Either the
sub-contracting will ultimately cost more, or outcomes will suffer. We can’t have both.
3—Loss of tax revenue. As most if
not all these corporations are headquartered out of state, the profits will
flow across Tennessee’s borders – in the wrong direction. The
payroll to Tennessee residents will decline.
4—Loss of quality of life. This
would be No. 1, if we were ranking. As Tennessee workers get displaced
and lose their jobs, families suffer in every way -- financially, emotionally,
psychologically. We understand some may get rehired, but the
working conditions, management and benefits will not be as good as even with
these state jobs, which already pay very low on average.
5—Loss of mission. The mission and
guiding star of a sub-contracting company will be CEO and executive
compensation and bonuses, not the actual mission of the work that is required
to keep Tennessee running. Can these distant CEOs and COOs care about
Tennessee families the way our neighbors can? We are not in the same
boat; we do not have the same needs and objectives. What’s best for these
corporations is not what’s best for Tennessee.
6--Loss of transparency in process.
The governor has forged ahead behind closed doors. Why have we not had public or even
legislative input in a media-covered forum?
Was there a bidding process? Who stands to profit? How do we get out
of these contracts if/when things go badly?
Which career employees will be
terminated? What are their positions and
names?
7—Corruption. Does corruption or
its appearance still matter? Is the governor making these deals with
persons and entities with which he has existing connections, and will he stand
to gain directly or indirectly?
8—Abdication of fiduciary. The
governor took an oath to put Tennesseans first, and he violates his fiduciary
duty by subbing out state jobs. This is a scandal, even by today’s
standards.
