Wake County taxpayers are on the hook for as much as $125,000 for dueling lobbyists representing the school board and commissioners.
The school board voted Tuesday to authorize interim Superintendent Stephen Gainey to pay up to $100,000 to hire a lobbyist to oppose legislative changes commissioners want in school construction, charter school funding and school board elections.
It turns out that county commissioners already hired their own lobbyist this week. Joe Bryan, chairman of the board of commissioners, said that Tom Fetzer, the former Raleigh mayor and past state Republican Party chairman, will be paid $5,000 a month — for a maximum of $25,000 — to be their lobbyist.
"My reaction is, if we're going to keep score, we're going to win,” Bryan said Wednesday in a meeting with News & Observer reporters and editors.
Comments
Let me get this straight....
Wed, 02/06/2013 - 22:11 — Bob_SconceThe democrats on the school board are using $100,000 of school district money for their own political gain: so they can stay in power on the school board.
Actually you have it wrong
Thu, 02/07/2013 - 07:35 — SatchHHThe articles said that the BOE just approved spending up to that amount - which is what staff are authorized to spend without BOE permission. All the BOE did was to vote to support staff action when they do make a hire. No money has been spent yet, and it might be much less - like $10 thousand or so. What we DO know is that the County Commissioners have already hired Tom Fetzer to lobby for them. The CC have enough to do without trying to take over portions of the WCPSS operations. This is a ridiculous power grab by them. If they hadn't tried for this power grab, no money would be needed to be spent. I hope all of the leaders of this move on the CC are booted far out of office in the next election!
So...
Thu, 02/07/2013 - 15:28 — Bob_SconceRecognize that while there are three items which have been causing problems, the County has a number of other legislative priorities as well, ranging from restrictions on the accreditation of its crime lab to ensuring that the state provide adequate funding for mental health.
I don't have a fundamental problem with local boards hiring lobbyists -- it seems wasteful, but it's an unfortunate fact that they need an efficient way to provide feedback to the General Assembly. So, by itself, there's absolutely nothing wrong with hiring Tom Fetzer to be that person. Heck, considering the current makeup of the GA, he seems to be the *ideal* person.
Doesn't matter who is right or wrong
Thu, 02/07/2013 - 09:55 — FSandYOUYour lying friends are wasting tax dollars on a fight THEY started.
You have it wrong if you think your lying friends will come out victorious on this one.
We have the McPope regime in our corner. You have liars.
When this little fight is over the school board will be as silent and irrelevant as this blog now is.
...
Wed, 02/06/2013 - 22:47 — SideburnsBut, Bob... Kevin Hill assured us that this Board is not political.
defense
Thu, 02/07/2013 - 07:36 — SatchHHDefending one's role against attack is not political - it's just smart.
Hill is way more political
Thu, 02/07/2013 - 20:49 — woodstockHill is way more political than he is smart.
...
Thu, 02/07/2013 - 09:47 — SideburnsLOL. Your politics are showing.