Article archive / October 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 10. Source pages: 5.
The Governor has cut state contracts by 3,574 from a high in 2016 of 14,125.
In September, Elizabeth Crisp of the Advocate reported that after the two years, the contract debate has grown quiet but Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration says that they have curtailed the number of outside consultants, as critics requested, and they continue to try to address the issue.
Crisp asked the question, What has happened with efforts to cut Louisiana state contracts?
The state contracts with thousands of companies and individuals for various state services. Contractors provide consulting on legal and land issues, review insurance disputes and help address the state's opioid crisis, among other functions – often for tens of thousands of dollars.
The next day the Governor’s Office answered, saying that in In 2016, Edwards, by executive order shortly after taking office, instructed all agencies, boards commissions and other budget units of the executive branch to review all professional, personal and consulting contracts to look for ones that can be eliminated or reduced.
In the years since, the number of state contracts reported has officially gone from 14,125 in July 2016 to 10,551 this July. Many are deemed "non-discretionary," which means they are viewed as essential government functions, though it's not clearly defined what that is or why an agency may give the distinction.
In April this year, the psychology board voted to continue contracts with Taylor, Porter, Brooks, and Phillips (current $6435 and tabled a discussion to amend the amount)
They continued the contract with Dr. Sasha Lambert ($100/hour and not more than $12,000), and also with Statewide Surveillance ($60 an hour and not more than $12,000).
They tabled a discussion to renew until further investigations about rates regarding the firm of Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson. This is the firm of Mr. Jim Raines.
The members continued their regular contracts with the CPA and also the website management and IT contracts were renewed.
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