So you have 14 members who serve each congressional district in Georgia, and then there are five at-large positions. Sonny Perdue had campaigned on his cousins behalf during David Perdues 2020 re-election campaign, which he narrowly lost to Senator Jon Ossoff. You know, then there are many others outside the metro area. He stated that legitimate, measurable carbon trading could spur so-called carbon sequestration by giving farmers an incentive to innovate. President Trump is endorsing Brian Kemp's Republican opponent in the primary, David Perdue, to be the next governor. I cant imagine Sonny Perdue doing that.. Her name is Theresa McCartney, and she worked under Mr. Wrigley. Eric Stirgus: Now, you know, conversely, his supporters say he was a governor of Georgia for eight years. [41] The next year, Georgia was affected by the September floods, which were the most severe in Georgia's recorded history. Kemp has used congressional redistricting to add more Sonny Perdue supporters to the Board of Regents. And I understand that he wasn't the biggest supporter of the idea of Sonny Perdue as chancellor. Eric Stirgus: Publicly, I don't think he's said one way or another right now. [48], During meetings with Georgia state port officials, then-Governor Perdue discussed his family business's use of a terminal, then started a new export company in Savannah soon after leaving office. [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. "You have got to have stuff where there is a lot of traffic. Each of those firms is owned by Perdue Business Holdings Inc., and Secretary Perdues newly created FALF Management Trust of which the secretary is a co-trustee owns 100 percent of the voting stock in Perdue Business Holdings, according to his 2019 disclosure. Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights. The board cited Perdue's, quote, "vast understanding of the issues facing the university system," unquote. 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. Steve Fennessy: Eric, you've covered higher education in Georgia for a lot of years. [33] Georgia voters chose the flag resembling the Confederate flag. Steve Fennessy: When you look at past chancellors in the university system of Georgia, is that a position where the person who gets the job is typically coming from a higher educational background? Kemp can use that to the Republican base and say, "Hey, you know, I have one of the most loyal Trump guys you know, and, you know, if I appointed him to a very important position here in state government and we know we've had a long-standing relationship. Eric Stirgus: Most of them are designated by congressional district. Critics argued that the deal should be investigated, and speculated that ADM, which spends millions of dollars on lobbying regardless, used the property sale as a bribe for favorable treatment. Undeterred by the pandemic-led spike in hunger, Perdue also doubled- and tripled-down on a long-held goal: boosting work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that would eliminate food aid forat least 1.2 million peopleabout a third of them households containing senior citizens, nearly a quarter with children, and 11 percent with a disabled person, according tononpartisan think tank Mathematica. Sonny Perdue served two terms as the governor of Georgia, from 2003 to 2011. Founder and partner in an agricultural trading company,[4] Perdue served from 2012 to 2017 on the Governors' Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C.[3][5] He is the second secretary of agriculture from the Deep South; the first was Mike Espy of Mississippi, who served under President Bill Clinton from January 1993 to December 1994. Anyone can read what you share. [70], Perdue is an avid sportsman. 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. SteveFennessyis host of Georgia Today,a weekly radio show and podcast on Georgia Public Broadcasting thatexplains stories of interest to Georgians through the experience and perspective of the reporters covering those stories. Trump announced just days before his own inauguration, on Jan. 20, 2017, that. And so now he's no longer on the regents. How is that number arrived at? Is Sonny Perdue staking out any does he have a dog in this fight, at least publicly? There is no conflict of interest in becoming a trustee of a trust that contains no conflicting interests.. of Agriculture", "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress 1st Session", "Sonny Perdue Named Chancellor of the University System of Georgia", "Meet David PerdueHe Might Be Georgia's Next Senator", National Governors Association: Sonny Perdue, "Trump taps former Georgia governor for agriculture secretary", "Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue Perdue Farms Plans Major Expansion in Georgia", "Official Results of the November 5, 2002 General Election", "Ethical Lapses Trail Nominee For Agriculture Conflicts of Interest as Governor of Georgia", "3 minutes, 1 tax bill, $100,000 for Sonny Perdue", "Georgia climbs in SAT rankings despite drop in score", "2008 SAT Results Highlight Need for Rigor", "Georgia View: Sonny Perdue's Non-Legacy", "Georgia leaders try to skip controversy in flag vote", "Tom Price, Kasim Reed, Sonny Perdue and the Art of the Georgia Deal", "Statement of Governor Sonny Perdue Regarding Court Ruling to Stay Transition to Reformulated Gasoline", "Georgia Enacts a Tough Law on Immigrants", The Confederate and Neo-Confederate Reader: The "Great Truth", "Trump could name Agriculture Secretary whose drought strategy was to pray for rain", "Yes, There Were Black Confederates. The staff of Mother Jones is highlighting the years heroes and monsters. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Today, reader support makes up about two-thirds of our budget, allows us to dig deep on stories that matter, and lets us keep our reporting free for everyone. Perdue announced the final relocation site in a letter that was distributed to employees Thursday morning. [News tape] WSB: He called being named a finalist a quote wonderful capstone to a career in public service. Lance Cheung/USDA; Mother Jones Illustration. Perdues spokesperson also rejected the watchdog groups request for an investigation as politically motivated. Steve Fennessy: You mentioned that there's a long political history between Sonny Perdue and Brian Kemp. He shortly thereafter became a committee chairman, then climbed the leadership ladder to majority leader and to Senate president pro tempore. [7] 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. So without that accreditation, it could severely impact, you know, enrollment. You know, there were some complaints that, you know, he was involved in some changes that, you know, made it a little bit more difficult for students to get the HOPE scholarship. "[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. She says a lot of things. The business holdings were a source of concern during his confirmation process, as well as during his time as Georgia governor from 2003-11, when he faced more than a dozen ethics complaints and was found to have funneled illegal amounts of money from his businesses to his campaign in 2002. I can't imagine Sonny Perdue doing that." . A Senate panel backed a bill on Tuesday that would put pressure on local school boards to adhere to the open meetings laws and create barriers to removing disruptive parents from meetings. Steve Fennessy: By definition, you're appointed as a regent by the sitting governor, but appointing and hiring a chancellor is supposedly, at least theoretically, not supposed to be political, right? Why isn't he going back to his farm? By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners. Georgia Public Radio GPTV, Oversight group isnt reviewing Georgia regents choice of Sonny Perdue. Steve Fennessy: So what happened then? Libertarian Garrett Michael Hayes was also on the ballot. Governor Pierre Howard asking for more responsibilities, and Howard obliged. She said that this is coming from a place of strength and not weakness. [67], Perdue's assets during his time as Secretary were placed in blind trusts, as is common to prevent financial conflicts of interest. RELATED: Oversight group isnt reviewing Georgia regents choice of Sonny Perdue. (David Perdue is now locked in a tight runoff election that could decide which party controls the Senate in the next Congress.). Steve Fennessy: When did we first hear that Sonny Perdue who was the outgoing Secretary of Agriculture in the Trump administration, of course a two-term former governor of Georgia was interested in the job of chancellor? Eric Stirgus: I think, you know, his critics have a couple of reasons that they're concerned. You know, he was brought on actually, you know, during Sonny Perdue's tenure to take on the job. [6] His nomination was approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee by a 191 voice vote on March 30. [18], Perdue was elected as a Democrat in 1991, 1994, and 1996. [25], In 2007, Perdue convinced a skeptical legislature to approve a $19 million fishing tourism program he called Go Fish Georgia. Georgia Today: Is Mayor Bottoms Paying The Political Cost For A COVID Crime Wave? How did we find out about that? There, he managed a workforce of 110,000 employees in the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the stated objective of being the most efficient, effective and customer-friendly agency in the . Through it all, Perdue maintained his extraordinary podcast, The Sonnyside of the Farm, a monthly testament to the genius of his boss and the glory of big agribusiness. He also talked about, you know, bringing stability to the system. The watchdog groups are now seeking information about whether Perdue was involved in a decision by the Army Corps of Engineers which works with USDA on some wetlands restoration efforts to reallocate Soque River Conservations credits in a way that significantly increased their value. [News tape] WSB: As governor, Perdue's record on education is also being called into question. 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. What's the implication there? 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. The crux of the watchdog complaint comes down to a handful of Perdues businesses the secretary reported as sources of income, at least a half-million dollars, on his 2019 filing. I ran because I was frustrated with the government. 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. Alec Poitevint, long a pivotal player in the Perdue network, is now backing Kemp over David Perdue. DECATUR The Washington Post on Tuesday published a story that Archer Daniels Midland Co. sold a grain storage plant valued at millions of dollars to Sonny Perdue for $250,000 weeks after he . Economists in the USDA's research branch were told to include disclaimers in their peer-reviewed publications stating that the findings were "preliminary" and "should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy". The administration began acquiring bond money for the Go Fish Education Center near his home in Perry, GA. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said today that he did not plan to step down from his Cabinet duties, amid reports that the president is getting ready to make several . Perdue wrote that "liberals have lost all credibility when it comes to climate science because their arguments have become so ridiculous and so obviously disconnected from reality. Steve Fennessy: There's something else going on here. Launched in October 2019, a week after the House of Representatives announced an impeachment inquiry against Trump, the show began with an appearance from Sarah Huckabee Sanders. So, you know, we've been hearing that this from faculty members who have been upset about, you know, some of his credentials in that space. GPB is committedto bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world. But then prior to him, you had Errol Davis, who was a utilities company executive and he had no administrative experience in higher education. Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service. "The. Not surprisingly, the news has dismayed many, both inside and outside of academic circles, who worry that Sonny Perdue is conservative politics will set the university system on a dangerous course and even put the system's accreditation at risk. [News tape] 11Alive: He tweeted, "Brian Kemp is running for governor of the Great State of Georgia. 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. However, most served in the early years of the war and were either forced at gunpoint or feared reprisals for disloyalty. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) abstained, as they are first cousins. I think Steve really was making maybe about a half million dollars when he retired, so that's way more than the governor of Georgia was making. There's been some social media push against him. Eric Stirgus: It was pretty newsy for us. Sanders: one of the the most fun, engaging, charming, and charismatic people Ive ever been around. Perdue: he has an amazing instinctive ability to make decisions.. Listen on Apple Podcasts. It generated $102,077 in revenue or about 11 cents for every dollar it cost to run the center in years past. Steve Fennessy: OK, Sonny Perdue is, I think he's 75. "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. [23], In January 2003, Perdue signed an executive order prohibiting himself and all other state employees from receiving any gift worth more than $25. The design of the 2001 Georgian flag was widely unpopular, being derisively named the "Barnes flag". His committee assignments included Ethics, Finance & Public Utilities, Health & Human Services, Reapportionment, and Economic Development, Tourism & Cultural Affairs. 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. 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. His anti-immigrant machinations worked all too well, creating a crippling labor shortage for Georgias immigrant-dependent farms and poultry slaughterhouses. The former two-term Georgia governor has kept his cabinet post until the end, maintaining a close relationship with . This is diversity and inclusion. I understand that the Board of Regents, at least in its previous iteration, was not necessarily too keen on the idea of Sonny Perdue as the next chancellor, is that correct? The North American Vexillological Association had deemed it the ugliest U.S. state flag. [55], In July 2019, Perdue ordered two USDA agenciesthe Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agricultureto move from the USDA's headquarters in Washington, D.C. to the Kansas City metropolitan area. Personal: Perdue. Eric Stirgus: Well, there's been a few ways. [58][59], Under Perdue, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) was accused of suppressing scientific publications for political reasons. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources figures showed 21,101 people visited the Perry facility in fiscal 2015, which ended June 30. 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. Some farmers ended up destroying perfectly good food. That relationship famously has gone has gone south. 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." [31] The choices were a modified version of the First National Flag of the Confederate States of America, with the Georgia State Seal prominently displayed inside a circle of 13 stars, or the flag created in 2001 by the Roy Barnes administration. And so there are some ways to Sonny Perdue can help the university system of Georgia. One is there was a group of students who created a group called Students against Sonny. Brian Kemp: Obviously, this is huge for our campaign. And you know, for a lot of critics, you know, it did raise their concerns about all of this. His nomination was transmitted to the U.S. Senate on March 9, 2017. Eric Stirgus: You know, it's a pretty important job in the state of Georgia. So tell us, what does the job of chancellor of Georgia universities and colleges entail? Perdue is the first cousin of former U.S. [3], In 2006, Perdue was re-elected to a second term in the 2006 Georgia gubernatorial election, winning nearly 58% of the vote. [23] Prior to Perdue's becoming governor, no state agency had compiled an inventory of what assets were owned by the state. The latest scrutiny stems from the agriculture secretary's wealth of current and former interests in agriculture, trucking and land development. [24] During his governorship, Perdue collected at least $25,000 in gifts, including sporting event tickets and airplane flights. He also has largely avoided the sort of major scandals that have dogged many others in Trumps Cabinet. Now to me, Eric, that sounds like a kind of an implied threat that appointing Sonny Perdue as chancellor could mean that we'd lose accreditation. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Raphael Warnock.
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