Gov. Deal takes off the gloves

Gov. Nathan Deal is accustomed to getting his way. He’s used to browbeating legislators into submission. In part, that’s what governor’s do to fullfill their visions for the state. However, there are times when people in powerful positions start to, as the old folks used to say, “feel their oats,” and forget where the real power lies.

Make no mistake, Deal is the power behind Amendment 1 on the November ballot that would create Opportunity School Districts that, if approved, could take over what the state says are “failing” schools. However, the real power rests in the hands of voters who must approve it at the ballot box and they are learning that this takeover is outside of the State Board of Education and the elected state superintendent of schools; that this separate school district would be run by a superientendent who would report directly to the governor; and this OSD would not only shift state money but local tax money and facilities outside of local control.

The opposition to the governor’s plan has been fierce with opponents pumping about $2.7 million into defeating it, and the dear governor is none too happy and has decided to play hardball. Two of the biggest opponents, aside from the 40 or so school districts that have come out against Amendment 1, are the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and the Georgia Association of Educators. Both are membership organizations, not unions, but school districts are allowed to deduct membership dues from members’ paychecks.

As first reported in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Deal sent an open records request last week to all Georgia school districts. He wants to know if 2016 dues to PAGE and GAE were made by payroll deduction. What could this mean?

If Amendment 1 goes down in flames, and even if its approved, don’t be surprised to see legislation proposed that would ban districts or educators from using payroll deduction to pay membership dues. This would make it more difficult to collect dues but it could also be problematic in other areas because organizations, such as United Way, also use payroll deduction in fundraising. The governor could also mandate administrative fees be added, if they are not already, but the fees would also have to apply to other outside deductions, charitable and otherwise, as well.

There is a very good reason the governor is upset. From the misleading language of the single sentence ballot question to the published explanation, there has been an effort to rope-a-dope voters into approving something that if they understood the details, they would never agree to it. Opposition to Amendment 1 is bipartisan, and all the opposition is guilty of is explaining to voters the real consequences of casting a ballot in favor of this flawed amendment. The governor only has himself to blame.

This story was originally published October 26, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Gov. Deal takes off the gloves."