NASHVILLE -- Democratic lawmakers questioned today whether Gov. Bill Haslam has a "baseline hostility" toward state employees as the Republican weighs outsourcing management of all state property to for-profit companies.
But the governor told reporters that his "first responsibility" is to 6.5 million Tennesseans and not "creating more government jobs."
State officials last week quietly posted a Request for Information from businesses on building management, operations and services at government enterprises ranging from public colleges and universities to state parks, hospitals and prisons.
The posting went up on Aug. 10 and companies have until Friday -- 11 days later -- to respond.
Haslam said the administration is soliciting information from firms and has made no decision on whether to outsource further operations. If the state decides to proceed with all or part of outsourcing, the state would initiate a Request for Proposal process.
Gov. Bill Haslam speaks at a press conference at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, about record tourism spending numbers in Tennessee. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) Under a 2012 contract with real estate giant Jones Lang LaSalle, the state outsourced operations of most of its office buildings. It began as a consulting contract and evolved through amendments into the operational contract.
Haslam's latest venture is generating alarm from state employees, a higher education union and criticisms from Democrats.
In a conference call with reporters, Senate Minority Leader Lee Harris, D-Memphis, questioned the 11-day rush on the RFI process, saying that "by shortening the time frame to respond, the proposal looks bad, corrupted. We should try to be fair in state contracting and appear fair."
Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, charged "there's really not a governmental basis for this unless you have a baseline hostility to the idea of the public providing public services."
Asked by reporters whether or not it is a function of state government to care for long-term employees, Haslam said, "sure, but our first responsibility is to care for 6 1/2 million citizens. That's our first responsibility. And so people who say government's about creating more government jobs, that's not our responsibility.
"Our responsibility is providing services to our 6 1/2 million citizens. That's Job 1. Now the reality is to run anything, you take great care of your employees and you make this a great place to work to attract great people. But we start with, we've got to provide great service to citizens."