PSP used lobbying firm to promote Green as SRC chair
by thenotebook on Feb 20 2014 Posted in Latest news
Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia School Partnership
Mark Gleason is executive director of the Philadelphia School Partnership.
by Bill Hangley Jr.
As Bill Green takes the helm of the School Reform Commission, new details have emerged about the process that brought him to the job.
Officials at the Philadelphia School Partnership say their hired consultants, from one of the state's most influential lobbying firms, Wojdak and Associates, actively urged legislators in Harrisburg to support Green as SRC chair during the run-up to his approval by the state senate.
“Our advocacy around the SRC was that the city needed a leader who is focused on reform and has the skills and experience to be effective,” said Mark Gleason, the PSP’s executive director. “Based on Bill Green’s vision and experience, we supported him as a candidate who could be a great SRC chair.”
Green, a Democrat nominated by Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, says he was not aware of PSP’s effort on his behalf. “I didn’t realize anybody was being paid to lobby,” he said. “But … I’m happy for any support I got.”
Green strongly denied that PSP’s effort would give the organization any undue influence.
“The only people I owe for my position are the governor of Pennsylvania, and 44 state senators" -- who voted in to confirm him -- Green said. “Nobody who’s seen