Protesters unfurl petition opposing Haslam outsourcing plan

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Protesters are congregating at the legislative office complex to voice their opposition to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to outsource the operation of more state buildings.

Gov. Bill Haslam

The demonstrators unfurled banners, chanted and sang in the hallways outside the Senate committee room where the Haslam administration was scheduled to present its “business justification” for privatization efforts later on Tuesday.

The United Campus Workers have criticized what they call Haslam’s “outsourcing frenzy” for targeting benefits-paying jobs at public colleges and universities.

Haslam agreed last month to hold an outside review of the privatization plan before having Tennessee’s higher education systems decide whether to participate.

The governor has said the independent review should help dispel concerns that the state won’t save the as much money as projected.