The following observations come from Post-Dispatch reporter Matt Hathaway: 

On its face, a bill that would make doling out local government contracts more transparent seems a simple matter.

But the truth about the Political Subdivision Services Bidding Standards Act (SB 1254), sponsored by state Sen. Tim Green, D-Spanish Lake, is more complex.

Green contends that the measure would force governments - particularly fire districts - to seek competitive bids for legal work and other white-collar, contracted services. He said the idea for the bill came after he read a Post-Dispatch news report and editorial about the legal bills at the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District, which up until January was known as the Normandy Fire Protection District.

The paper showed the district’s attorney, Elbert Walton Jr., had billed $76,671 in legal fees during his first six months on the job, about six times more than his predecessor billed in an average year.

Walton is the husband of state Rep. Juanita Head Walton, D-Florissant. Green went after both Waltons in a press release( http://www.senate.mo.gov/08info/members/newsrel/d13/031208.pdf) this month claiming they “have a history of profiting off taxpayers while performing lousy service.”
But there’s something Green forgot to mention: Head Walton has filed to run against Green in the Democratic primary.

Head Walton didn’t respond to a request for comment, but her husband - the fire district lawyer - did.

“It’s strange that, for being in the legislature for more than 20 years, (Green) just now believes professional services should be bid out,” said Elbert Walton Jr. “Green attacked me and my wife because she’s running against him.”