On Thursday, members of Alabama's Contract Review Committee approved two public relations contracts for Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth and State Senate Pro-Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper).
The committee reviewed an annual contract renewal between the Lieutenant Governor's Office and David Azbell's Azbell Communications to provide "strategic communications and policy services" for $29,450 through January 2024. It's the third time the contract has been renewed for a total of $109,425, according to the contract.
According to the state's Open Checkbook site, Azbell was paid a total of $91,850 combined from the Offices of the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House in the fiscal year 2022.
The committee also reviewed an annual contract between Reed and SR Communications for "writing and editing of print-based items, electronic communications, website content assistance, and production of printed and electronic media items" for $30,000.
Paul Shashy and Lauren Huffman are listed as members of SR Communications LLC on the contract. According to the state's Open Checkbook site, the Office of the Senate President Pro-Tem paid SR Communications LLC $30,000 in the fiscal year 2022.
Committee members held up a public relations contract between the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and Birmingham-based Direct Communications for $195,000 per year over a paperwork error.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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