Eric Stirgus: Now, you know, conversely, his supporters say he was a governor of Georgia for eight years. Perdues response? [News tape] 11Alive: He tweeted, "Brian Kemp is running for governor of the Great State of Georgia. He's also a fierce advocate for Sonny Perdue to land the chancellor job, saying his experience . But Perdue is struggling. Steve Fennessy: So the faction that was opposed or is opposed to the idea of Sonny Perdue as chancellor seems to be getting smaller. [1][10] He grew up and still lives in Bonaire, an unincorporated area between Perry and Warner Robins. The latest scrutiny stems from Perdues wealth of current and former interests in agriculture, trucking and land development a complex web of trusts, land parcels, holding companies and subsidiaries. [News tape] WSB: As governor, Perdue's record on education is also being called into question. The . Yes. Charles S. Bullock, III, The Georgia Political Almanac, The General Assembly 199394. Eric Stirgus: No, not officially, you know, because they are personnel decisions that the board makes. "To me it was a boondoggle because of the amount of money they were spending and the location," said Rep. Alan Powell, R-Hartwell, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue pledged in 2017 to separate himself from his multimillion dollar business holdings that could pose conflicts of interest in his public duties. He served as his party's leader in the Senate from 1994 to 1997 and as president pro tempore. publicly condemned how the university system selected Mr. Perdue, will be the first woman to head the institution, a large-scale, low-cost online Master of Science degree program. Kudlow used the opportunity to fluff Trumps economic record. He had even served as the 81st Governor of Georgia, and his tenure was from 2003 to 2011. [54] In December 2018, he changed the nutrition standards for school lunches to allow more refined grains, allow milk with added sugar, and increased sodium. While it is often especially difficult for members of a governing board who are appointed by the governor or legislative body to remain independent in their work, it is imperative that they do or they place the accreditation of the institution they govern in jeopardy." Perdue led Ossoff in the . This is the golden rule do unto others.". His nomination was transmitted to the U.S. Senate on March 9, 2017. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo. He was the only member of the Trump administration to endorse such a plan. Steve Fennessy: Matthew Boedy, a University of North Georgia professor and president of the Georgia conference of the American Association of University Professors, told the New York Times that, quote, "a chancellor's job is to defend the system against such bills. USDA argues that the reorganization Perdue laid out in his 2017 ethics agreement was intended to separate the secretary from two agribusinesses in particular: grain merchandiser AGrowStar LLC and grain marketer Pro Ag Products, both of which were also owned by Perdue Business Holdings before they were sold to outside buyers. It pays pretty well. The COVID-19 crisis served as yet another opportunity to promote the political fortunes of his boss, without impeding his pursuit of a pro-agribusiness, anti-worker agenda. His Democratic opponent was Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor. [News tape] parent at recent school board meeting, 11Alive: "This isn't critical race theory. "[45], The project overall has been scrutinized as a waste of taxpayer money due to mismanagement of bond money and extremely low visitors. "[36], On November 13, 2007, while Georgia suffered from one of the worst droughts in several decades, Perdue led a group of several hundred people in prayer on the steps of the state Capitol. Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service. If you value what you get from Mother Jones, please join us with a tax-deductible donation today so we can keep on doing the type of journalism 2023 demands. He won the 2002 Georgia gubernatorial election, defeating Democratic incumbent Roy Barnes 51% to 46%, with Libertarian candidate Garrett Michael Hayes taking 2% of the vote. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, it was a plum post for the political novice, which he used as a springboard that helped propel him to a US Senate seat in 2014. He praised the tax cuts and the program of deregulation, which, he claimed, benefitted the people who needed it most, those in the middle, and the lower rungs. Its little wonder that Trump would train his benevolence on the little people, because hes a blue-collar guy who worked for years in the construction yards, with all kinds of folks, all colors, Kudlow informed Perdues listeners. after feeling punished under Trump, "Economists flee Agriculture Dept. [News tape] FOX5: Critics have questioned Perdue's experience, pointing out his lack of experience in the higher education setting. The secretarys numerous and labyrinthine financial interests in agribusiness and land development makes it essential that his ethical commitments be rigorously enforced so as not to create a conflict of interest, Austin Evers, the groups executive director, wrote last week in a letter to the IGs office. Trump said Friday that he has directed Perdue to provide at least $16 billion in relief. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue pledged in 2017 to separate himself from his multimillion dollar business holdings that could pose conflicts of interest in his public duties. Later, FALF Management Trust was created. [72], In 2006, Perdue's financial disclosure forms revealed that he had a net worth of approximately $6 million and received compensation of $700,000 that year.[73]. But you know, we are hearing, you know, some of the newer members could be a lot more supportive of Sonny Perdue. "[35], In 2006, Perdue signed a law that gave Georgia "some of the nation's toughest measures against illegal immigrants. On December 30, 2016, Perdue's company AGrowStar purchased property and a facility from Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), a large American agribusiness corporation that the Department of Agriculture regulates. after feeling punished under Trump", 'It feels like something out of a bad sci-fi movie', The Trump administration is suppressing climate science, "US agriculture secretary breaks ranks to endorse carbon pricing", "USDA chief violated Hatch Act by advocating for Trump re-election, gov't watchdog says", "USDA's Perdue fined for violating Hatch Act while promoting food boxes", "Perdue rebuked for violating ethics law by boosting Trump's reelection", "The land was worth millions. However, most served in the early years of the war and were either forced at gunpoint or feared reprisals for disloyalty. The first two companies are managed by Perdues children, according to Georgia records. And so, you know, I think he was one of those, you know, members who, you know, was part of that faction were against it. Eric Stirgus: He has some interest in the job because, you know, he realizes the importance of higher education to the state's economy. Steve Fennessy: What form has that opposition taken on college campuses or in academic circles? There may be that short list that some of these members of the Board of Regents have, but they're not allowed to discuss it publicly. Brian Kemp is in a fierce battle with David Perdue. He's a two-term former governor, Secretary of Agriculture. [51], Perdue was the designated survivor on January 30, 2018, for President Trump's first State of the Union address. [24], Late in the evening of March 29, 2005, the penultimate day of the legislative session, Representative Larry O'Neal, who also worked part-time as Perdue's personal lawyer, introduced legislation making capital gains tax owed on Georgia land sales deferrable if the income goes to purchase out-of-state land, also, unusually, making the tax break retroactive. In 2005, Georgia state Rep. Larry ONealPerdues personal lawyermanaged to pass what the Atlanta Journal-Constitution called a seemingly mundane tax bill thatincluded a a last-minute change that saved the governor an estimated $100,000 in state taxes. Perdue will not improve the state of education as chancellor - he will only ruin it.. He left in June. Eric Stirgus: For now, we have not heard any discussion about, you know, where Sonny Perdue will ultimately fall on the governor's race. Entitled President Trumps Affection for American Farmers, the episode featured the host and former White House press secretary competing to see who could lavish the most praise on Trump. What Is Sonny Perdue Doing Now? This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Steve Fennessy: As you said, Sonny Perdue persuaded Donald Trump when he was president to endorse Brian Kemp. The complex arrangements were criticized as breaking the spirit of the rule, however, and that Perdue and his family's ties to his corporation were not distanced as much as the law intended. Perdue is one of the original Trump Cabinet appointees who remained by the president throughout the administration. Steve Fennessy: Chancellor of the University System of Georgia it's one of the most coveted jobs in higher education. [22], Perdue advocated reforms designed to cut waste in government, most notably the sale of surplus vehicles and real estate. [67], Perdue and his wife, Mary (ne Ruff), were married in 1972 after dating for four years. So tell us, what does the job of chancellor of Georgia universities and colleges entail? RELATED: Oversight group isnt reviewing Georgia regents choice of Sonny Perdue. One is looking at his record, as you know, the governor of Georgia. The harangue, which ended with the ag secretary leading a chant of four more years, earned Perdue a knuckle-rap from the Office of Special Counsel for violating the Hatch Act, which forbids government employees from campaigning while on the job. A former two-term governor of Georgia, George Ervin Perdue III, known throughout his life as Sonny, served as Agriculture Secretary from 2017 to 2021. Eric Stirgus: During his time as agriculture secretary there was, you know, there's been some criticism about his record, you know, concerning issues such as climate change. You know, he provided the money for the budget for the university system, and he understands how the system, you know, to a certain degree, you know, how the system works. Sonny Perdue Is Sole Finalist to Lead Georgias Public Universities, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/15/us/sonny-perdue-georgia-chancellor.html. Steve Fennessy: How big is the university system? Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights. (David Perdue is now locked in a tight runoff election that could decide which party controls the Senate in the next Congress.). "[37], According to a March 5, 2008, proclamation by Perdue, "Among those who served the Confederacy were many African-Americans, both free and slave, who saw action in the Confederate armed forces in many combat roles. The new law saved Perdue $100,000 in state taxes. This is Georgia Today. Personal: Perdue. David Perdue is running against Democrat Jon Ossoff in one of two runoff elections in the state that will determine control of the U.S. Senate in the next Congress. [21] He became the first Republican governor of Georgia in 131 years since Benjamin F. I ran because I was frustrated with the government. Although it returned to last place in 2005,[26] Georgia rose to 49th place in 2006 in the combined math and reading mean score, including the writing portion added to the test that year. Inexpensive, too! Eric Stirgus: Yes. A longtime Atlanta-based journalist, he is a former editor-in-chief of Atlanta magazine. Presumably, some political appointees who served in the Trump administration did so with earnest intentions, hoping to bring dignity and professionalism to the task of advancing the Republican agenda of deregulation, austerity (for non-cronies), and upward wealth redistribution. In July, with the economic fallout from the pandemic generating a massive hunger crisis, Perdue alighted on North Carolina, a key swing state, to stage a rally promoting congressionally mandated food aid as an example of the personal benevolence of Donald Trump. Now the nonprofit American Oversight is asking USDAs inspector general to review the new structure of Perdues assets and determine whether it violates the commitments he made as a nominee for the job in 2017. So you've had recently, you know, the Board of Regents members serve seven-year terms. Feb. 15, 2022 Georgia's public university system said on Tuesday that former Gov. [News tape] 11Alive: Critical race theory about whites, blacks and U.S. history, parents saying that CRT is now indoctrinating students disguised in the school system's initiatives on diversity, equity and inclusion. Atlanta, GA 30318 Eric Stirgus: Last March, we started hearing talk you know that Perdue was interested in the job or that some board members on the Board of Regents were interested in him becoming chancellor. The new questions surrounding Perdues 2017 agreement follow his rebuke last week by the Office of Special Counsel for using a taxpayer-funded event to promote President Donald Trumps reelection, in violation of the Hatch Act. In this 2017 post, I recount some of the port-related shenanigans the cousins Perdue got up to together, including launching a port-reliant export business.