AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas lawmakers have rebuked a state agency for botching millions of dollars in contracts.

The Austin American-Statesman reports that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission discovered earlier this month that staff members incorrectly scored five managed care contracts worth an estimated $600 million. The State Auditor's Office released a report this week highlighting a series of problems with the agency's procurement processes.

Four staff members have since either resigned or been fired.

State lawmakers on Wednesday called the contracting problems a system failure by the commission. Democratic Rep. Mary Gonzalez says such errors may lead to companies not wanting to conduct business with the state.

Commissioner Charles Smith says he's working to address the contracting issues, including hiring a temporary quality control team to check scoring.

___

Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com

More From KTEM-AM