Metro

Reformers’ secret weapon: Class-act lobbyist

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.”