LITTLE ROCK — In the interest of full disclosure, the Legislative Joint Budget Committee was informed today that the state Department of Correction is entering a $513,660 contract with a construction company owned by Rep. Berry Hyde, D-North Little Rock.

Under the contract, Hyde’s Hydco Co. will be building an annex to the furniture shop at the Department of Correction’s Wrightsville Unit, according to a memo written by a lgeislative analyst.

The Joint Budget Committee, under a 2007 law, is required to review any business contract between the state and a company in which a legislator owns a 10 percent or greater ownership interest.

The memo said Hyde is 90 percent owner of the company and CEO.

In a separate letter, Jane Benton, administrator of the Office of State Procurement, said the contract has been reviewed by both her office and the Arkansas Building Authority.

Hydco’s bid was the lowest of 18 bidders.

Tags: Arkansas Department of Correction, Barry Hyde, Hydco, Wrightsville

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