Handel criticized for not ordering furloughs

By Aaron Gould Sheinin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

House budget writers Wednesday morning criticized former Secretary of State Karen Handel for refusing to take furlough days as mandated by lawmakers and the governor, a situation they plan to rectify now.

But Handel, who resigned in December to focus on her bid for the Republican nomination as governor, hit back, with her campaign accusing House leaders of seeking retribution.

While going over the proposed 2010 amended state budget, Appropriations Committee Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) said he has been working with current Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who has agreed to take the required six furlough days. But while most other state employees will have taken six unpaid days off from July 1 through June 30, employees in the secretary of state's office will have to take six over the next few months, if this budget is approved.

Handel campaign spokesman Dan McLagan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that lawmakers haven't been paying attention. Handel has consistently said on the campaign stump that she cut the secretary of state's budget by 20 percent to avoid furloughs. She also eliminated 38 positions.

"Furloughs are a short-term solution, and the budget is a long-term problem," McLagan said.

Harbin acknowledged that Handel had found other savings, but "we're telling everyone to take furloughs."

Harbin said other departments also found savings but still followed the edict that furloughs were also necessary.

"I think it was a mistake, and we're asking that department to participate like everyone else," Harbin said.

But Rob Simms, a Handel campaign adviser and former deputy secretary of state, said he personally testified before Appropriations Committee hearings about Handel's plan to avoid furloughs through cuts.

"They were aware we were not taking furloughs," Simms said, "and at no time was a concern raised."

Harbin's comments caused a murmur in the massive Capitol committee room and prompted several questions from other lawmakers.

McLagan said lawmakers are punishing Handel for her emphasis on ethics problems at the Capitol.

"This is the kind of thing the Legislature does when someone does something they don't like,"  he said.