Nebraska scrutinizes $2.5M emergency no-bid contract amid shifting explanations
TL;DR
Nebraska Gov. Pillen’s office faces renewed scrutiny over a $2.5 million emergency, no-bid contract awarded to lobbyist Julie Bushell to help secure federal bioeconomy funding. The administration has offered multiple explanations for the urgency, including a claim Bushell was working pro bono, but State Auditor Foley questions the emergency justification since key EPA grant applications were filed before the contract and the governor’s recommendation, and the timeline suggests bidding bypass and potential favoritism under LB 1412.
Topics:nationpolitics#epa-grant#julie-bushell#no-bid-contract#pillen-administration#politics#state-auditor-foley
- Pillen team offers new explanation for timing of $2.5 million no-bid emergency contract Nebraska Examiner
- DED, Pillen no-bid contract fight with auditor heads to State Patrol, AG Nebraska Examiner
- Nebraska State Auditor testifies on bill that makes new requirements for emergency contracts ketv.com
- Former state senator McKeon calls for investigation of no-bid contract awarded to Pillen associate Central Nebraska Today
- Amid fight with Pillen, State auditor pushes bill to require notification of emergency no-bid contracts WOWT
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