11/25/24 - 156 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/54ukts8z
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Gov. Rendell Outlines Process For Spending Federal Stimulus Funds
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Gov. Rendell this week outlined the process for how Pennsylvania will spend what will ultimately be about $18 billion in federal stimulus money over the next two years. He also made it clear that programs considered legislator priorities would not be returned to the budget.
While other states have appointed legislators to help oversee and account for stimulus spending, Gov. Rendell said he wanted to avoid a situation where state officials spent more time answering questions to review panels than administering the new spending.
Gov. Rendell proposed to--
-- Create a 6 member advisory panel made up of one representative from each of the state legislative caucuses and a member from each of the state's Congressional caucuses;
-- Appoint a "Chief Accountability Officer" and named General Services Secretary Jim Creedon in charge of overall stimulus spending;
-- Asked state employee unions to forgo the planned salary increases for state workers, if the unions do not agree the Governor will initiate furloughs or rolling layoffs to reduce expenses;
-- Establish a special website--www.Recovery.Pa.gov-- to report on how federal stimulus funds are spent; and
-- Release a plan for spending the federal stimulus money no later than early April.
The Governor has set out an aggressive schedule to solicit input from the Pennsylvania’s local elected officials, as well as advocacy and constituent groups by March 15.
“We want to ensure Pennsylvania can start benefiting from this investment sooner rather than later, and the public’s participation in that process will certainly be beneficial,” the Governor said. “I encourage everyone to take some time and review the website and give us your thoughts. This is an important time for our nation and our Commonwealth; if we all play a role we can help ensure that we emerge from this economic crisis stronger and more competitive in the long term.” The Governor and his cabinet officials testifying before the Senate and House Appropriations Committee have called funding for line items like county conservation districts legislator priorities. In his press conference this week, the Governor said he would not support returning legislative initiatives to the budget like in past years because of the state's budget deficit.
Overall, the Governor proposes to cut $77 million from environmental spending in his 2009-10 budget request.
Since 2003, more than $784 million in environmental funding has been eliminated from the state budget.
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3/6/2009 |
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