New Mexico shells out $2.4M for trial team in Texas water fight
The state will pay a total of $2.4 million to two law firms as a seven-year water dispute between New Mexico and Texas inches closer to a trial.
Each law firm received a $1.2 million sole-source contract, which was not open to competitive bidding.
Critics say sole-source contracts, similar to a monopoly, can drive up prices because theres no competition. Critics also say they can lead to cronyism when a favored person is chosen rather than the most qualified.
The state Attorney Generals Office, however, said in a legislative newsletter the sole-source contracts were necessary because litigation would be disrupted if new law firms came in at this late stage.
Read more: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/new-mexico-shells-out-2-4m-for-trial-team-in-texas-water-fight/article_47ecbcd4-acc9-11ea-8356-eb48b37fcfe9.html