Texas Senators Approve State Contracting Bill After HHS Commissioner Scandal
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas Senators have unanimously approved a measure aimed at increasing transparency in state contracts, one day after the release of a scathing report detailing a no-bid state contract.
Flower Mound Republican Sen. Jane Nelson said Tuesday that her bill is intended to ensure contracts are fairly awarded and monitored. She said: "There is no room for favoritism when taxpayer dollars are at stake."
The bill - which now heads to the Texas House - requires more reporting on contracts, including forcing agencies to disclose and justify any no-bid contracts.
On Monday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's office released a report about Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek, whose agency awarded a $110 million no-bid contract last year.
The report found that Janek helped create an environment that enabled the deal.
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