Frequently the systems planning team also includes an outside consultant.

The group, which works with development of new energy systems, can use outside consultants and experts from the company when this is practical.

And an outside consultant will be brought in by January to help improve public school scores.

They said Goldman was only one of four outside consultants.

The independence of this "outside consultant" is open to question.

Only recently, he said, did it put out a contract for an outside consultant to give advice on the plan.

"Plan to manage differences," he added, often with the help of an outside consultant.

It also taught him the value of outside consultants, which is how he views himself.

Between 1991 and 1999, the state paid $1.3 billion to outside consultants.

There will also be opportunities for outside consultants to set up programs and sometimes manage them, he said.