We are all independent contractors
 

We are all independent contractors. The state makes its own choices, however, they believe the local association using its own "Recommendations Committee" is best suited to assemble the list of "best" officials. The state can choose any official they want, whether they are on the list or not(although I don't think anyone has ever been chosen by the state if they were not on the list somewhere). They also may not heed the order of the list and usually don't. They get who they want but the local association simply states an opinion which is generally accepted by the state. The state has tried evaluation system(s) to determine the state series playoff spots(final four games). However, these systems have generally caused significant "issues" between the state and the officials. Currently they continue to work to create an acceptable "evaluation" system, but the officials must be convinced it is a "level" playing field. Bottom line, if there is politics(and of course there is), the officials want it to be local politics not state politics.