ALBANY — The charter-school movement has a potent weapon in its quest to persuade the state Assembly to lift the cap on charter schools: powerhouse lobbyist Patricia Lynch.
Lynch — the former communications director for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — has deep ties in the Legislature.
Her firm — Patricia Lynch Associates — has 175 clients and is the second-highest-paid lobbying firm in New York with $8.5 million in fees and expenses last year.
Lynch has been retained by three pro-charter-school organizations: the Harlem Success Charter School Network, Democrats for Education Reform and Teach for America.
Each outfit is paying Lynch’s firm $5,000 a month — or $15,000 combined — to help boost charter schools.
“It’s all about the children in the classroom and the opportunity that education provides,” Lynch said.
Charter-school supporters will need all the help they can get to try to get a charter-school bill through the Assembly, where the teachers unions hold considerable sway.
Fans said Lynch has a persuasive, low-key style and a knack for building consensus.
“Pat talks to everyone and people know she’s not an ideologue,” said Assemblyman Mike Benjamin (D-Bronx).
Added Benjamin: “Pat is looking for consensus. She’s got the velvet touch.”
James McMahon, a veteran lobbyist with Brown & Weinraub — who has worked on several legislative campaigns with Lynch — said it’s a plus to have her on your team.
“Pat understands Albany like no other. She’s an extremely capable strategist in getting things done,” said McMahon.
Another Capitol insider said: “Pat has the ability to contact Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate conference leader John Sampson when she needs to. She will get the phone call returned.”