Rendell announces close oversight of state's stimulus funds

By: Scott Detrow

Governor Rendell says Pennsylvania is instituting “unprecedented” oversight of the federal stimulus process. On Wednesday he outlined three steps the commonwealth is taking to make sure federal funding is spent correctly.

By: Scott Detrow

Governor Rendell says Pennsylvania is instituting “unprecedented” oversight of the federal stimulus process. On Wednesday he outlined three steps the commonwealth is taking to make sure federal funding is spent correctly. WHYY’s Scott Detrow was there.

Script:
Rendell says Pennsylvania will likely reap $18 billion from the stimulus package. That’s including tax cuts, benefit expansions and federal funding. Rendell is appointing General Services Secretary James Creedon as his administration point man on stimulus matters and will also create a new position to make sure the money goes where it’s supposed to.

Rendell: “So in the next two weeks I will be selecting and appointing a chief accountability officer who will work with every one of our agencies to make sure that every dollar is used to meet our goals, and that our citizens know exactly what’s happening with all of the dollars and all of the spending from the stimulus.”

Rendell says a state-run website, www.heretohelp.pa.gov, will let commonwealth residents track every dollar in stimulus funding. In the coming days he’ll meet with local leader, General Assembly members and Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to discuss stimulus projects.

Listen:
Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090305stimulus.mp3]