The hiring of Gov. Nathan Deal's former education advisor by Atlanta Public Schools—and her rehiring as a consultant to the governor—was the impetus for a bill State Sen. Vincent Fort says he plans to introduce.
The draft legislation Fort unveiled Wednesday would bar employees of the governor’s office from lobbying and from being rehired as consultants to the governor’s office for a year after they leave their jobs.
The bill targets Erin Hames, who served as education adviser to Deal and was the chief architect of his Opportunity School District plan, which would allow the state to take over low-performing schools.
Hames was hired this summer by the Atlanta school district under a a no-bid $96,000 consulting contract. Atlanta’s school system is one of the largest potential targets if voters approve the Opportunity School District constitutional amendment next year.
Hames will also make $30,000 over the next year consulting for Deal on education policy.
The dual contracts raised concerns of government transparency advocates who accused her of trying to serve two competing interests.
“That’s cronyism at its worst,” Fort said. “Erin Hames is profiting from the very legislation that she pushed.”
Hames told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this fall that and she and Atlanta schools superintendent Meria Carstarphen share an “unflinching commitment to children.”
And the Atlanta schools need Hames’ help, Carstarphen said in response to earlier questions. “At the end of the day, we will be crushed at the state level if we don’t have people who have relationships and quality information that can help Atlanta Public Schools,” she said.
Other state employees have moved from their public positions to lobbying, but Ford said Hames’ move was different.
“It’s just so brazen,” he said.
Given the overwhelming majority Republicans hold in the Legislature, the bill from Fort, an Atlanta Democrat, is a long shot.
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