Thread by @jonshorman

THREAD

@st_vockrodt and I reviewed 5,000 emails from the Kansas Department of Revenue involving contacts with CGI surrounding a $61 million no-bid contract the company landed in 2017.

Here’s what we learned…

kansas.com/news/politics-… #ksleg

CGI and KDOR officials talked in early and mid-2016 about potential upgrades to the state’s tax systems. Talks progressed to the point where KDOR was asking for a comprehensive proposal from CGI. #ksleg

Then, in September, KDOR put a halt to discussions. Kansas didn’t have an active contract with CGI that could have been used to avoid an RFP #ksleg

But then, on Nov. 8, 2016 – Election Day – CGI met with key officials in Gov. Brownback’s office. The state’s revenue secretary then sent this email afterward, indicating Kansas would work with CGI. #ksleg

By early December, talks between CGI and KDOR were again moving forward #ksleg

Oh, and in May 2017, a KDOR official wrote an email saying the project was sanctioned by the governor’s office #ksleg

We paid $200 for these records after first requesting them in 2017. They arrived in January 2018.

Journalism isn’t cheap. It isn’t always fast, either.

END

kansascity.com/news/politics-… #ksleg

January 2019*

sorry #ksleg