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Earlier this week, Georgia's Board of Regents announced that Sonny Perdue was the sole finalist for the job. [18], Perdue was elected as a Democrat in 1991, 1994, and 1996. Or are they sometimes coming from outside it? Its another death, wound, stab in the heart for anybody that works in the university system to have someone like this, he said. But Sonny Perdue was there from the beginning. Eric Stirgus: Yeah, I mean, and that's the argument that many of Kemp's team has said. Then the pandemic hit, ripping through migrant farm worker communities, who toiled on with little in the way of protective gear or opportunities for social distancing. Eric Stirgus: You know, and then there have been other instances where, you know, Sonny has supported now-Gov. The Georgia Board of Regents on Tuesday named former governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue as the sole finalist to lead the state's University System. Brian Kemp thinks so, and it looks like he's getting his way. The regents hired another firm, and then it put Ms. McCartney as acting chancellor, and so there really hasn't been much movement up until, I guess, the last few weeks. Sonny Perdue Named Chancellor of the University System of Georgia - USG [70], Perdue is an avid sportsman. 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. You know, Steve Wrigley, you know, he worked in the university system before he became chancellor, so he did have some of that experience. Perdue will begin his duties as the 14th chancellor on April 1, according to a press release from USG. Listen on Apple Podcasts. I give him my full and total endorsement.". In 2018, while Perdue was secretary, Soque River Conservation asked the Army Corps to modify the credits held by the company in a way that could boost its value by nearly $3 million, the groups estimate. [24], In mid-2003, Perdue purchased 101 acres (0.41km2) of land next to his Houston County, Georgia, home. Why isn't he going back to his farm? His selection has angered professors concerned about academic freedom. Steve Fennessy: So he left in June. I cant imagine Sonny Perdue doing that.. Enlivened by these bald lies, and perhaps feeling a competitive spark, Perdue replied that Trump is the embodiment of the amazing spirit that built this country. He sounded quite satisfied after a year spent campaigning for his boss while inflicting lasting damage to poor people and food-system workers during a deadly pandemic that the administration did so very little to control. 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. On January 18, 2017, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Perdue to be Secretary of Agriculture. Inexpensive, too! American Oversight and another watchdog group, Accountable.US, claim that violates Perdues 2017 agreement with ethics officials that he would restructure his original family trust and transfer all of its stock in Perdue Business Holdings to a new, irrevocable trust that wouldnt be overseen by or benefit the secretary. It's us but for your ears. Sonny Perdue issues state of emergency for 17 Georgia counties", "Perdue fails to disclose '04 purchase of land", "Trump to announce Sonny Perdue for Agriculture", "Sonny Perdue Sworn in as 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture", "Trump hires campaign workers instead of farmworkers at USDA", "Sonny Perdue is Trump's 'designated survivor' for State of the Union 2018", "Perdue tells second Iowa Ag Summit he wants to support new farmers", "Trump administration to return refined grains to school lunches", Many USDA workers to quit as research agencies move to Kansas City: 'The brain drain we all feared', ERS union predicts mass exodus ahead of relocation, 'Cut, Relocate, Eviscerate': Moving a USDA Research Agency Will Have Lasting Consequences, Employees Say, Economists flee Agriculture Dept. Perdue served in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of captain before his discharge. Sonny Perdue was its sole finalist to become chancellor, a choice that has outraged some professors and led a regional agency to threaten the accreditation of the 26-school system. USDA said the reorganization of Perdues finances was cleared by career ethics staff, pointing to the secretarys 2019 financial disclosure that was signed by ethics officials. 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. Sonny Perdue on Confirmation to Lead Dept. And besides the national prominence afforded any state governor, Perdue garnered widespread attention for his actions in 2007 during the worst drought in Georgia's history. Here's Why", "USGS Release: Atlanta Flooding Sets New Records", "Gov. Former US Secretary of Agriculture and former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue were named chancellor of the University System of Georgia by the Board of Regents today (USG). Jess Mador is the lead podcast producer at GPB News. Donald Trump's agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue, was confirmed April 24, 2017, and he will have a wide reach in his role. Perdue addressed the crowd, saying "We've come together here simply for one reason and one reason only: to very reverently and respectfully pray up a storm" and "God, we need you; we need rain." Employees turn their back on Agriculture secretary over being - CNN They have to be in charge of making sure that the schools comply with federal education policies and procedures, state education rules and regulations. Not that Perdue lacks national stature - he was the governor of Georgia, a heavily agricultural state, from 2003 to 2011. Georgia Today: Is Mayor Bottoms Paying The Political Cost For A COVID Crime Wave? Georgia Today is a production of Georgia Public Broadcasting. [56] The attrition rate was particularly high in the Resource and Rural Economics Division (90%) and in the Food Economics Division (up to 89%). He switched party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 1998 and was re-elected to the State Senate as a Republican. Using the CCC to hand billions to big farmersmajor Trump supporters in 2016 is a signature move of Perdues USDA. 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. The Perdue USDAs largesse to large-scale farmers and agribusinesses went beyond cutting wages and protective measures for their workers. Steve Fennessy: So I'm guessing that maybe he wants to stay out of this altogether, or do we know if he is going to make any kind of public statement endorsing one way or the other? 260 14th St. NW But her critics have said thatwhat she calls a COVID Crime Wave and her handling of the firing of Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe, who shot Rayshard Brooks last summer, made her vulnerable if she had chosen to run. Georgia's higher ed system taps acting leader, passing on Sonny Perdue So tell us, what does the job of chancellor of Georgia universities and colleges entail? [42] The floods resulted in Perdue declaring a state of emergency in 17 counties. Kudlow used the opportunity to fluff Trumps economic record. He shortly thereafter became a committee chairman, then climbed the leadership ladder to majority leader and to Senate president pro tempore. Revoking accreditation to schools including the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State and Georgia Southern would be a monumental step. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters. Republican Sen. David Perdue, a former Fortune 500 CEO, will face off against Democrat Jon Ossoff, a 33-year-old media executive, again in a runoff election Jan. 5. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. . But is there a way of, like, by appointing by at least advancing the candidacy of Sonny Perdue for chancellor is this a way for Brian Kemp to gain some political points with some Trump voters out there? [24] During his governorship, Perdue collected at least $25,000 in gifts, including sporting event tickets and airplane flights. He later served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and was named chancellor of the University System of Georgia in 2022.. Background and Education 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? Latest news, headlines, analysis, photos and videos on Sonny Perdue And then also there has been, through the congressional redistricting process, you know, because of some changes insome of the districts, you know, we've had two additional changes on the regents where two members are now no longer on the board and the governor has replaced another one of those members and all three of the members that he has replaced are people who have been, you know, very supportive of the governor in the past through campaign contributions and other ways. 11/08/2018 02:42 PM EST. 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 . Libertarian Garrett Michael Hayes was also on the ballot. Sonny Perdue Facts - Who Is Sonny Perdue, Trump's Agriculture Secretary 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.. So we have Brian Kemp in this fierce battle against David Perdue primary battle for governor. He was the first Republican chosen by Georgians to occupy the governor's mansion since the Reconstruction-era election of Rufus Bullock in 1868. The United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry overwhelmingly approved his nomination on March 30, with a 191 vote. [8] Perdue served as Secretary of Agriculture throughout Trump's term. You know, he's a strong conservative, you know, and he's David Perdue's cousin. Eric Stirgus: You know, it's a pretty important job in the state of Georgia. [2] He previously served as the 81st governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011; Perdue was the first Republican to hold the office since the Reconstruction era.[3]. If a college loses accreditation, warned the agencys president, Belle S. Wheelan, it could cause enrollment declines, lead to bad publicity and revoke the schools access to federal money. "[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. Our engineers are Jesse Nighswonger and Jake Cook. Eric Stirgus: There was some support on the regents, but not enough support to get him across the finish line to be named as chancellor. Perdue announced the final relocation site in a letter that was distributed to employees Thursday morning. How did we find out about that? Brian Kemp: Obviously, this is huge for our campaign. This is diversity and inclusion. [43], Beginning in 2007, Governor Perdue began to pursue the goal of making Georgia the "bass-fishing tourism mecca". "[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. Sonny Perdue's . The office directed the USDA chief to reimburse the government for travel expenses and other costs of the event. Feb. 15, 2022 Georgia's public university system said on Tuesday that former Gov. Eric Stirgus: Well, he didn't go into specifics that day. Why Brian Kemp wants Sonny Perdue to lead Georgia's higher ed system @SecretarySonny (to use his folksy Twitter handle) stayed the course that characterized his entire time at UDSA. So very excited to have the president standing with us and I'm a lot like him. A longtime Atlanta-based journalist, he is a former editor-in-chief of Atlanta magazine. Sonny Perdue is cousins with David Perdue, who is now engaged in a bitter primary battle against Brian Kemp Brian Kemp, who, of course, is backing Sonny Perdue. [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]. Eric Stirgus: There are 26 institutions in the system. [30], In 2001, Democratic governor Roy Barnes replaced the 1956 state flag, which incorporated the battle flag of the Confederacy, and which had been adopted by Georgia largely as a protest against desegregation. Your support makes this possible. Mr. Perdues appointment as chancellor would also limit his contributions to the campaign of David Perdue, his cousin and a former senator who is running against Gov. (David Perdue is now locked in a tight runoff election that could decide which party controls the Senate in the next Congress.). [25] Perdue then used the new law on his 2004 tax return to defer $100,000 in taxable gains from the sale of land. But you know, we are hearing, you know, some of the newer members could be a lot more supportive of Sonny Perdue. 10 Things You Didn't Know About Sonny Perdue - US News & World Report [40], In 2008, Perdue worked with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to implement Ready Georgia, a campaign to increase disaster preparedness throughout the state. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue told the crowd at last week's event in North Carolina that he got a call from the White House. Steve Fennessy: How unusual is it for a letter like that to be written? I'm going to read a paragraph towards the end of her letter. 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. I'm Steve Fennessy. Steve Fennessy: As you said, Sonny Perdue persuaded Donald Trump when he was president to endorse Brian Kemp. The first two companies are managed by Perdues children, according to Georgia records. [67], Perdue's assets during his time as Secretary were placed in blind trusts, as is common to prevent financial conflicts of interest. Eric Stirgus: Yes. In research shared with POLITICO, Accountable.US alleges that farm policies backed by the secretary could potentially have benefited his own or his familys interests beyond the two agribusinesses that were sold. 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. A USDA spokesperson denied Perdue was involved and said holding such land doesnt conflict with his duties as secretary. He's also a fierce advocate for Sonny Perdue to land the chancellor job, saying his experience . [14][15], Perdue is not related to the family who owns and operates Perdue Farms (commonly associated with the brand "Perdue Chicken").[16][17]. Eric Stirgus: Correct. USDA Increases Monthly SNAP Benefits by 40% | USDA It generated $102,077 in revenue or about 11 cents for every dollar it cost to run the center in years past. Steve Fennessy: Chancellor of the University System of Georgia it's one of the most coveted jobs in higher education. The policy, according to the American Association of University Professors, is the only one of its kind in the country. Looking at the pandemic, they've also had to take on some additional responsibilities, such as, you know, managing coronavirus relief funds. Chris Saeger, a spokesperson for Accountable.US, said the reorganization of Perdues assets from one trust to another appears to be nothing more than a shell game and a maze of technicalities and denials.. [1][10] He grew up and still lives in Bonaire, an unincorporated area between Perry and Warner Robins. These emergency benefits represent a 40% increase in . Two-thirds of the reassigned USDA employees chose to quit rather than accept relocation. Sonny Perdue has long mixed personal and political business to benefit his friends and business associates and he's on track to do it again. 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. Eric Stirgus: Yes, I think the governor could certainly use this on the campaign trail and, you know, to, you know, David Perdue supporters and say, "Hey, look, you know, I've made Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the university system. He also won reelection in 2000. [22], Perdue advocated reforms designed to cut waste in government, most notably the sale of surplus vehicles and real estate. Raphael Warnock. [24] The State Ethics Commission ruled against Perdue twice, finding that he had taken improper campaign contributions from donors including SunTrust Banks and that he had improperly used one of his family business's airplanes on the campaign, for which the commission fined the sitting governor. [14] He defeated Republican candidate Ned Sanders in 1990 and succeeded Democratic incumbent Ed Barker as the senator representing the 18th district. So you've had recently, you know, the Board of Regents members serve seven-year terms. The Perdue USDA also insisted that federally funded grocery boxes distributed by food banks contain a letter signed by Trump, touting the administrations coronavirus response. Eric Stirgus: Georgia's top elected officials constantly talk about, you know, we need workers who are college and career ready, people who can just step into jobs. So I think there is some concern out there among some of them. Students and faculty members around the state are reacting to news that Republican former Gov. [67], Regardless of whether the deal was intended to influence Perdue's actions, and if it was if it actually had any impact, the Perdue years were good ones for ADM. I mean, you know, there is one former member now, Phillip Lehi, who did, you know, say, Hey, I like Sonny Perdue personally. 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. Eric Stirgus: It was pretty newsy for us. In fact, for the next two weeks after the prayer, the state's epic dry streak grew worse. Sonny Perdue and Brian Kemp have a longstanding relationship politically, and then you have Sonny Perdue's cousin who is running against the governor now in the GOP primary. Eric Stirgus: Sonny Perdue, you know, encouraged then-President Trump to endorse Brian Kemp in the Republican primary back in 2018. Steve Fennessy: What form has that opposition taken on college campuses or in academic circles? Last month, the U.S. State Department said it will start processing more applicants seeking H-2A temporary. So, you know, it'll be interesting to see. It is no surprise that these made up accusations are coming out in the final weeks of October. Steve Fennessy: Politics makes strange bedfellows. Kemp has used congressional redistricting to add more Sonny Perdue supporters to the Board of Regents. [25], In 2007, Perdue convinced a skeptical legislature to approve a $19 million fishing tourism program he called Go Fish Georgia. Sonny Perdue, of course, was a two-term governor of Georgia, as well as secretary of agriculture under former President Donald Trump. Steve Fennessy: OK, Sonny Perdue is, I think he's 75. The latest scrutiny stems from the agriculture secretary's wealth of current and former interests in agriculture, trucking and land development. Trump-backed Perdue struggles in Republican primary challenge in - CNN Steve Fennessy: News that Sonny Perdue will, in all likelihood be the university system of Georgia's next chancellor comes at a time when state legislators are debating bills about how racial history should be taught in classrooms. Conley. Eric Stirgus: Yes, definitely. Brian Kemp and thought Trump thought his endorsement would spell immediate trouble for the incumbent. There were so many cabinet members who who left, and then he had to appoint new ones. Let's go into November and be against Stacey Abrams together.". AGrowStar (including the assets acquired as part of the Estill deal) was sold by Perdue's trusts in 2018 for 12 million dollars, but due to the secretive nature of the trusts, this was not widely disclosed. 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. The reallocation entailed raising the companys holdings of highly valuable wetlands credits while lowering its portion of much cheaper stream credits. Subscribe today and get a full year of Mother Jones for just $14.95. He stated that legitimate, measurable carbon trading could spur so-called carbon sequestration by giving farmers an incentive to innovate. Perdue restructured his original family trust into a new fund that he did not oversee, and the fund then sold off two of his businesses directly involved in agriculture the only assets that posed potential conflicts, according to a USDA spokesperson. You can keep up with Georgia today by subscribing to the show at GPB.org. He served as his party's leader in the Senate from 1994 to 1997 and as president pro tempore. Eric Stirgus: I think you would have many people who would say that it is a political decision or that the board members themselves have, you know, some say depending on their own personal politics. Perdue, a former US senator, has so far raised a fraction of what Kemp has in his campaign war chest.