OPINION: Incoming USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue is not an ally for "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. Sonny Perdue - New Georgia Encyclopedia Chancellor | University System of Georgia - USG [68] They have four children (Leigh, Lara, Jim, and Dan),[68] 14 grandchildren (six boys and eight girls), and have also been foster parents for many children. Similarly, while the pandemic savaged meatpacking workers, killing at least 563 as of mid-December, the ag department kept on with a trend it had started in 2019: allowing giant poultry companies to speed up their slaughterhouse kill lines. Eric Stirgus: Correct. [23] Prior to Perdue's becoming governor, no state agency had compiled an inventory of what assets were owned by the state. The new law saved Perdue $100,000 in state taxes. In 2011, he founded Perdue Partners, which facilitated the export of U.S. goods and services. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Its another death, wound, stab in the heart for anybody that works in the university system to have someone like this, he said. 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. That's next. [56] The attrition rate was particularly high in the Resource and Rural Economics Division (90%) and in the Food Economics Division (up to 89%). Eric Stirgus: It was pretty newsy for us. There were so many cabinet members who who left, and then he had to appoint new ones. Gov. Kemp and Perdue are also close political allies, and Kemp recently replaced four members on the board before the vote. Kemp has used congressional redistricting to add more Sonny Perdue supporters to the Board of Regents. Senate Republicans aghast at Perdue's false election claims in - CNN 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. Trump said Friday that he has directed Perdue to provide at least $16 billion in relief. [24] During his governorship, Perdue collected at least $25,000 in gifts, including sporting event tickets and airplane flights. Her name is Theresa McCartney, and she worked under Mr. Wrigley. This is diversity and inclusion. Kemp continues to be grateful for that support, and he feels some, you know, some loyalty, from what we've been hearing from our sources towards Sonny Perdue. Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service. Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation. 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. [24], In mid-2003, Perdue purchased 101 acres (0.41km2) of land next to his Houston County, Georgia, home. Your support makes this possible. Perdue is the first cousin of former U.S. . How did we find out about that? Kemp. You know, then there are many others outside the metro area. Eric Stirgus: For now, we have not heard any discussion about, you know, where Sonny Perdue will ultimately fall on the governor's race. Let's go into November and be against Stacey Abrams together.". 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 design of the 2001 Georgian flag was widely unpopular, being derisively named the "Barnes flag". And so there are some ways to Sonny Perdue can help the university system of Georgia. He switched party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 1998 and was re-elected to the State Senate as a Republican. His selection has angered professors concerned about academic freedom. [18], Perdue was elected as a Democrat in 1991, 1994, and 1996. The USDA's press office rejected CNN's request to interview Ziska, but not Politico's, where he went on to describe the department as internally fearful of Perdue's open skepticism towards climate change, which, according to Ziska, has led officials to "go to extremes to obscure their work to avoid political blowback". 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. Georgia Today is a production of Georgia Public Broadcasting. 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). Perdue bids farewell: 'We put American agriculture first' - AgriNews 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 . Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters. What is it about this job that appeals to him? What does it mean to be a chancellor? [61][62], In February 2020, Perdue endorsed putting a price on carbon dioxide, a climate change policy favored by many economists. All Rights Reserved. Using the CCC to hand billions to big farmersmajor Trump supporters in 2016 is a signature move of Perdues USDA. One is looking at his record, as you know, the governor of Georgia. Steve Fennessy: This has been percolating for a while now, Eric: this this idea of Sonny Perdue as the next chancellor of the University of Georgia system. Two-thirds of the reassigned USDA employees chose to quit rather than accept relocation. Perdue then decided that the Go Fish Education Center would be built down the road from his home. But the threat is part of the latest controversy for the Board of Regents, which in October approved a new policy where universities can fire tenured professors with little to no faculty input. "The. The former Georgia governor has a background in agriculture. 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.. [60] In August 2019, Lewis Ziska, a USDA plant physiology climate scientist, quit after department administrators attempted to impede the publication of one of his studies in the journal Science Advances. Sonny Perdue Age: 75 Birthplace: Perry, Georgia Political History: Georgia state senator, 1991-2002; governor, 2003-2011; U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary, 2017-2021. His nomination was transmitted to the U.S. Senate on March 9, 2017. He was the only member of the Trump administration to endorse such a plan. Or are they sometimes coming from outside it? Perdue will begin his duties as the 14th chancellor on April 1, according to a press release from USG. So you have 14 members who serve each congressional district in Georgia, and then there are five at-large positions. Earlier this week, Georgia's Board of Regents announced that Sonny Perdue was the sole finalist for the job. And then a couple of months later, my colleague Greg Bluestein ran into him at an event and Sonny did say that he was interested in the position, if the regents would have him. There are probably about 48,000 employees in the university system, and they range from professors, assistant professors, you know, associate professors, guest lecturers, you know, everything from electricians to people who work in the cafeterias. Steve Fennessy: Chancellor of the University System of Georgia it's one of the most coveted jobs in higher education. His nomination was transmitted to the U.S. Senate on March 9, 2017. GPB is committedto bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world. 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. Perdue is a cousin to Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. After Perdue took office, in 2003 and 2004, Georgia moved up from last place in the country in SAT scores. Sonny Perdue had campaigned on his cousins behalf during David Perdues 2020 re-election campaign, which he narrowly lost to Senator Jon Ossoff. [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. 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. Steve Fennessy: There's something else going on here. [46] The land was eventually sold to developers; however, the state was evaluating bidding on the property and keeping it as a reserve. The administration began acquiring bond money for the Go Fish Education Center near his home in Perry, GA. Georgias public university system said on Tuesday that former Gov. Personal: Perdue. And I understand that he wasn't the biggest supporter of the idea of Sonny Perdue as chancellor. 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. Eric Stirgus: Most of them are designated by congressional district. White House Seeks To Lower Farmworker Pay To Help Agriculture - NPR So tell us, what does the job of chancellor of Georgia universities and colleges entail? It's us but for your ears. Perdue will not improve the state of education as chancellor - he will only ruin it.. Who is David Perdue? 8 things to know about the Georgia senator At the beginning of 2020, Perdue yearned publicly for a way to cut federally mandated wages for migrant farm workers on guest visas. [1][10] He grew up and still lives in Bonaire, an unincorporated area between Perry and Warner Robins. Sonny Perdue served two terms as governor of Georgia before being named Agriculture Secretary in the Trump administration. Kemp is sort of paying back a favor. Sonny Perdue served two terms as the governor of Georgia, from 2003 to 2011. Looking at the pandemic, they've also had to take on some additional responsibilities, such as, you know, managing coronavirus relief funds. 11/08/2018 02:42 PM EST. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, a Democrat, later ran the University of California system, and former Gov. Jess Mador is the lead podcast producer at GPB News. Perdues response? The Washington Post detailed several wish-list items that ADM achieved: loosening of regulations on pork production, fewer inspections, helping lobby against proposed government bans on glyphosate by Thailand and Vietnam, and promoting ethanol and biodiesel. He later served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and was named chancellor of the University System of Georgia in 2022.. Background and Education The other election pits Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler against the Rev. [44], Upon the end of Perdue's term as governor, many in the Georgia General Assembly condemned the project and Perdue after an advisory council (appointed by Perdue) began to funnel additional bond money to the project located in his home county. So we have Brian Kemp in this fierce battle against David Perdue primary battle for governor. Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism? Perdue announced the final relocation site in a letter that was distributed to employees Thursday morning. Eric Stirgus: Well, he didn't go into specifics that day. Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. I'm Steve Fennessy. 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. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms shocked manyby announcing last week she will not be running for reelection. [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. 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. This week on Georgia Today, we look at some issues Bottoms faced during her tenure as mayor with CNN national correspondentRyan Young. Employees turn their back on Agriculture secretary over being - CNN Caught in the middle of a Republican overhaul of education, teachers feel under attack, Senate bill cracks down on local school boards' ability to eject disruptive parents from meetings.