Ken Dixon July 13, 2019 Updated: July 13, 2019 11:25 p.m. A new state law nestled deep in the $43 billion budget legislation will increase government accountability by allowing state watchdogs — and taxpayers — to monitor no-bid contracts for goods and services. Unlike towns and cities that through home rule powers of state law can side step competitive-bidding procedures with little or no public notice, the state has stricter openness requirements, which will be supplemented when the new procedures take effect. Another new law requires quasi-public agencies such as the Connecticut Lottery Corp. to disclose more information. But the executive director of the state Freedom of Information Commission said that transparency was a mixed-bag by the end of the legislative session, with most victories the result of defeating attempts to scale back the availability of information. “We think it’s a step in the right direction, providing transparency for the legislature and the public” said State Auditor John Geragosian, who along with State Auditor Rob Kane submit proposed changes to the General Assembly every session. This year, they succeeded in gaining a portion of what was proposed. Starting Oct. 1, state agencies will be required to submit an annual procurement plan, and contracts that do not go out for bid have to be publicly disclosed. “They’re going to have to
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