DALLAS (AP) _ A former state official blamed for much of Texas’ biggest privatization failures is now a well-paid consultant helping the state work to eliminate the problems the privatization effort caused.
The Dallas Morning News reports Gregg Phillips, the state’s former second-ranking social services official, now heads Austin-based AutoGov Inc. According to the newspaper, the company has received $207,500 since November to help the state’s food stamp program eliminate errors in the applicant screening process. The newspaper reports AutoGov was hired without soliciting bids from other companies.
A spokeswoman for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission says executive commissioner Tom Suehs and predecessor Albert
Hawkins believed AutoGov software might resolve the problems.
Telephone and electronic messages left for Phillips by The Associated Press were not returned Sunday.