Why spend millions on outside consultants?

As a taxpayer and state employee, I object to Gov. Ned Lamont spending $2 million to hire a private consulting firm to help state government manage its response to the novel coronavirus [May 13, “Gov. Lamont defends $2M consulting contract to aide reopening efforts; private consultants will help run government coronavirus response”].

What exactly will we get from this lucrative contract with the Boston Consulting Group?

We may never know, because the Lamont administration appears to have side-stepped the state’s contracting standards board, which is supposed to scrutinize the bidding process and protect taxpayers from reckless outsourcing.

I find it hard to believe, in the midst of a public health crisis, that hiring expensive outside contractors is apparently easier than tapping into the skills and expertise of the current state workforce.

This is the same workforce that has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing vital public services to the public while putting our lives and our health at risk.

The contract with Boston Consulting Group comes at a time when the governor is under pressure to break a contract with state employees by canceling a negotiated pay increase due July 1. State employees have only had one wage increase over the last two years in exchange for $24 billion in savings built on significant wage and benefit concessions.

There are better ways to boost morale, and show respect for frontline workers, than to disrespect our sacrifices while spending millions on outside consultants.

Patricia Davis, Bloomfield

Patricia Davis is a state employee and President of AFSCME Local 318,

representing state clerical workers.