Statement of Governor Perdue Regarding the Department of Human Services Contract with ACORN

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding the Department of Human Services contract with ACORN which expires this month:

“I want to thank Sen. Rogers and Reps. Graves, Keown, and Setzler 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.”

The text of Governor Perdue’s Executive Order is below:

Whereas:   O.C.G.A. § 50-5-50 states that it is the public policy of the State of Georgia that contracts and other procurement activities be conducted with integrity and in a manner that will increase public confidence; and

Whereas:   Although it is always important that the State does business with organizations with integrity, in this current budget environment it is especially vital to monitor the use of our scarce resources; and

Whereas:   To date, 70 employees of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (“ACORN”) have been convicted of crimes committed in the course of their work for the organization; and

Whereas:  There are numerous investigations, indictments, and prosecutions currently pending against ACORN and its staff throughout the nation; and

Whereas:   As a result of recent actions by ACORN, the U.S. Census Bureau ended its relationship with ACORN on September 11 and the U.S. Senate voted 83-7 to cut off federal funding from ACORN on September 14; and

Whereas:   Recent acts of ACORN employees and agents resulted in ACORN subjecting itself to an internal review of its acts and practices;

Whereas:       ACORN’s current acts and historical conduct make clear that financial involvement with organizations such as ACORN is contrary to the public policy of the State of Georgia and the best interests of its citizens.

                        Now, therefore, by the power vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered:    That all state departments, agencies, boards, bureaus and commissions including without limitation the Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia as defined in O.C.G.A. § 50-5-77 and within the executive branch (hereinafter “Agencies” or “Agency”), are hereby prohibited from entering into any future contracts with ACORN or its

                        subsidiaries or affiliates.

                        It is further

Ordered:    That all Agencies are hereby directed to cease all existing funding for ACORN or its subsidiaries or affiliates unless such funding is legally obligated.  If an Agency determines that such funding is legally obligated, that Agency is directed to inform the Executive Counsel to the Governor of its determination.

                        It is further

Ordered:    That all Agencies are hereby directed to provide to the Executive Counsel   to the Governor a copy of all existing contracts or other agreements between the Agency and ACORN or its subsidiaries or affiliates no later than September 23, 2009.

                        It is further

Ordered:    That no later than September 23, 2009, all Agencies are hereby directed to provide to the Executive Counsel to the Governor a copy of all existing contracts or other agreements between local governments and ACORN, its subsidiaries or affiliates that involve state funds.

                        This 17^th day of September, 2009.

                                                                                                            Governor Perdue

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