What Lamont specifically proposed to legislators was budget policy language that would strip the board’s enforcement powers. The watchdog group, which has lacked a full contingent of support staff throughout its 14-year history — and wouldn’t receive funds to hire any under the governor’s proposal — already relies heavily on free work by its volunteer board to get its job done. The administration has said on several occasions that it believes the contracting standards board largely duplicates watchdog efforts already performed by other agencies. But while there are some similarities between the contracting board and the auditors’ office, they aren’t perfect parallels. The auditors have almost no enforcement authority. The contracting standards board, by comparison, has authority to suspend a procurement process underway if it concludes the department or agency in question isn’t in full compliance with state rules.
https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Lamont-proposal-would-remove-CT-watchdog-s-16924910.php