LINCOLN- The Legislature decided to jump-start its investigation of the state's welfare services by launching a probe within its Health and Human Services Committee. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha initiated the investigation but was then was excluded from the special investigative committee that she had proposed. Speaker Hilgers said the board came to the decision to begin work under the Health and Human Services Committee, with inclusion of members of the special investigative committee, after conversations with Sen. Cavanaugh and Cavanaugh and Sen. John Arch, the HHS committee's chair.

The probe into child welfare services provided by Saint Francis Ministries of Salina, Kansas within the Omaha area, along with the state's contract, which originally appeared to have been substantially underbid, will begin with a sense or urgency.

"It's real life, and it happens now," Sen. Justin Wayne said. "We need to step on the gas pedal and get this going."

The state signed a $197 million, five-year contract that increased by 55% in terms of monthly payments. The original contract was 40% lower than the previous provider. The committee will begin its investigation by retaining outside counsel.

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