Rupert Murdoch given $27M no-bid contract from state Department of Education

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2011/07/31/2011-07-31_rupert_ripoff_alert_16_firms_were_up_for_27m_doe_deal_murdoch_will_get_bidfree.html

More than a dozen private firms wanted to work on a project like the one the state Education Department is set to award to a Rupert Murdoch-owned company in a $27 million no-bid contract.

Agency officials have cited "an extremely challenging time line" in their decision to partner with News Corp. subsidiary Wireless Generation to build a data system of student test scores and other information.

The Daily News has learned that the agency has explored the project for at least two years - proof, critics say, state officials had ample time to competitively bid out the contract and still meet a fall 2012 deadline for a federal Race to the Top grant.

(snip)

The News has also learned that Wireless Generation paid as much as $5,000 a month to lobbying firms to advocate for the contract and Race to the Top funds with state officials.

(end snip)

relates to the fact we are debating whether or not to borrow more money to give to entities represented by K Street lobbyists.

What could possibly go wrong?

Rupert Murdoch, really?

More disheartening news.