Republican state Sen. Ted Harvey is pulling together a bill that would prohibit Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, or any other state official, from hiring outside legal counsel except in a “real” emergency situation.
Harvey, who represents Highlands Ranch, said Friday his proposed bill will require state agencies and the governor’s office to hire the attorney general’s legal team when extra help is needed unless there is a conflict or the attorney general’s office is unable to do the work.
“There will still be flexibility in emergency situations, but stimulus money is not an emergency situation,” he said. “It’s inappropriate and sends a bad message to use a no-bid contract when there isn’t a real emergency.”
Ritter hired his former law partners at Hogan & Hartson in April to help analyze issues surrounding stimulus money the state receives from the federal government. His office said the open-ended, no-bid contract was required because someone with that firm’s expertise was needed immediately. The firm received $40,000 through June.
Ritter spokeswoman Myung Oak Kim said: “As with any bill introduced in the General Assembly, if this bill makes it to the governor’s desk, he will give it due consideration.”
Harvey cannot introduce a bill until the legislature reconvenes in January.
Karen Crummy: 303-954-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com
