LINCOLN — A proposal backed by Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley that would help his office provide more oversight over the state’s no-bid contracts advanced out of committee Thursday and is likely headed to the legislative floor.
Legislative Bill 997, from State Sen. Bob Andersen of Sarpy County, comes on the heels of controversy involving the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s $2.5 million, emergency no-bid contract with agricultural tech CEO Julie Bushell and her Global Sustainability Developers of Lincoln. Gov. Jim Pillen recommended her for the contract, according to Foley’s audit letter.
The Foley-sought bill, which the Governor’s Office supported, would require filing an extra copy of any state no-bid contract, including emergency ones, with the Nebraska State Auditor’s Office. The Nebraska Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee backed the bill 8-0…