State Rep. Andy HoltNASHVILLE - Citing fears of constituents who work in public higher education, a conservative GOP lawmaker sent a blistering email to a top aide to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, demanding to know what the administration's plans are on future privatization of state building management services.
In his email last week to Leslie Hafner, a Haslam adviser, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, said he has been contacted by more than 30 employees at the University of Tennessee at Martin, which is located in his West Tennessee district.
"I'm hearing about emails and people in management leaving their positions based on an 'imminent decision which WILL BE made by the Governor,'" Holt's email says. "It really seems like a lot of my constituents, as well as the constituents of other legislators, are about to be negatively impacted in a way which will alter the livelihood of their families. When they come to us, they want answers."
He goes on to say, "I go to church with these people. Our kids play soccer together. You see, in the district, we are a community. If a decision is made regarding these folks without full disclosure and the input of the legislators which are closest to them, I will not stand by idly, Mrs. Hafner."
David Smith, Haslam's director of communications, emphasized Monday that no decision is "imminent." Holt did not return a reporter's call.
The governor has said his administration is exploring the further outsourcing of building management and maintenance at 90 percent of the state's property, including higher education, state parks, hospitals and prisons. While he insists no final decisions have been made, Haslam says looking at more privatization makes sense because of his administration's success and cost savings through management outsourcing of the other 10 percent of Tennessee government's real estate portfolio.
Gov. Bill HaslamThe administration says it has saved $12.9 million through "cost avoidance" and improved services over the past two years through a contract with real estate giant Jones Lang LaSalle.
In his email, Holt questions that, asking "where are the independent, third-party reports showing that this actually saves the state money? I think people are growing very critical of the administration's handling of this situation."
David Smith, Haslam's communications director, reiterated Monday that no decision has been made. But he defended the administration's current cost savings and search for new ones.
"Right now, we have a surplus," Smith said. "Eventually, the economy will slow down. And we're not going to have a tax increase. So our job is to make sure we're running everything the best way we can. Again, we've had success on the [initially outsourced] properties."
He said the administration would welcome speaking with Holt.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com, 615-255-0550 or via twitter at AndySher1.