Perdue says ACORN, state agencies can’t do business
Thursday, September 17th, 2009Several state lawmakers with Glenn Beck posters in their Gold Dome lockers have convinced Gov. Sonny Perdue to cut ties with ACORN, the nonprofit organization that recently earned acclaim for its innovative approach to working with entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“I want to thank Sen. [Chip] Rogers and Reps. [Tom] Graves, [Mike] Keown and [Ed] Setlzer for bringing the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (“ACORN”) contract to my attention. In July, I directed my office to review all consulting contracts the state has with outside vendors to look for budget savings; that review did not identify the ACORN contract, because it does not involve state funds. The State of Georgia will not renew the contract, which expires in 13 days. Further, I have issued an Executive Order that prevents executive branch agencies from doing business with ACORN in the future and calls for a review of any existing contracts with ACORN.”
Perdue’s statement, on its own, is a little confusing. ACORN’s contract “does not involve state funds,” so it’s hard to tell how the state was paying the organization. Or what service it provided for the state. We’ve asked the governor’s office for some clarification.
The U.S. House and Senate have voted to cut funding to ACORN. On Sept. 11, the U.S. Census Bureau severed ties with the organization.
Perdue’s full statement and the executive order are pasted after the jump.
