Statement By Dominic M. Calabro, President And CEO Of Florida TaxWatch, On The No-Bid Health Care Contract For Inmate Health Care In Florida

"With the Department of Corrections facing terrible funding issues that have put hard-working officers in dangerous situations, it is critical that lawmakers and the public have every opportunity to scrutinize how every taxpayer dollar is being spent," said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro." Our elected officials must demand a full and transparent explanation on how this decision will best serve and protect Floridians. It is very difficult for Floridians to believe their interests are being protected by the decision to spend hundreds of millions of dollars without any competing bids or public debate. The best way to make sure you get value is through a procurement that is competitive, accountable and transparent and one that rewards efficiency and cost control. The incentive of paying any contractor more than $268 million and a percent of their costs encourages businesses to have higher, not lower, costs.”