‘Sunshine Law’ would force AG to bid contracts

The Clarion-Ledger, 1/25/8

The state attorney general may be required to go through a bidding process before entering into contracts of more than $500,000 with private lawyers, according to a bill expected to head to the Senate floor today.

In 2007, similar legislation died in a House committee, but some lawmakers say the chance of passage for the so-called “Sunshine Law” is better this year in the wake of the recent judicial bribery scandal.

Supporters say the bill would hold government more accountable, but Attorney General Jim Hood said it is partisan and hurts public interest.