Teachers Union Buys A Spot Inside Perdue’s Inner Circle

Remember how the National Association of Educators (NEA) spent $2.2 million helping Bev Perdue get elected governor?

Well, it looks like it has bought them a seat in her inner circle.  From the News & Observer:

Dawn Shephard Pope is Gov. Bev Perdue’s new teacher adviser.

The governor’s teacher adviser is a liaison between the governor’s office and teachers.

Pope is a member of the National Education Association Board of Directors.

For their $2.2 million assist in electing Perdue, they get a member of their Board of Directors with a seat in her administration.

Two other random observations on this:

1. With a $3B budget shortfall next year, does the governor really need to be hiring new employees?

2. A liaison between the governor and teachers?  Doesn’t the Governor have the Department of Education to do that for her?