"Today's action illustrates the superiority of privatization over government provision of services. If a private vendor fails to meet the agency's expectations, the state can hold that vendor accountable. Government employees never face such scrutiny for similar failures.
"We are glad to hear Commissioner Albert Hawkins' continued commitment to making service delivery more modern, efficient, and client friendly, including the involvement of the private sector. This action is not an indictment against all other potential contractors, or against the concept of privatization. This action merely highlights the tools available to the state when it is not satisfied with a contractor's performance.
"Thanks to this early experience, standards have now been set for performance in these programs. Everything that the Legislature expected from the Texas Access Alliance, we should also expect of the next vendor – or of any government employees who may be hired to perform these functions."
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