Lawmakers Work To Finish Up Bills
Source: By SUSAN HAIGH, The Associated Press (CT), 9:14 PM EDT, September 20, 2007
...... The Senate earlier passed a bill setting standards for state contracts. But the House was debating the legislation into the evening. The legislation has been years in the making. It became a hot topic three years ago after former Gov. John G. Rowland resigned amid a corruption scandal involving a state contractor.
The bill establishes a board that will oversee the contracting process. It also creates a procedure for privatizing state functions. That process includes conducting a cost benefit analysis to ensure that state employees won't be able to provide the same services less expensively.
"I think it's a good first step. I'm sorry it took so long for it happen," said Sal Luciano, AFSCME Council 4 executive director. But Luciano questions whether the legislation will lead to an accounting of how many privatized contracts the state has with various companies.