Gerlach Calls on Governor Rendell to Address Concerns Over Tracking Stimulus Spending

By THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN JIM GERLACH

Washington – Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) sent a letter Thursday to Gov. Ed Rendell asking him to respond to a recent news article regarding Auditor General Jack Wagner’s concerns about whether the Commonwealth has sufficient controls in place to track economic stimulus funding.

“The public deserves complete openness and transparency in how the Commonwealth is spending billions of taxpayer dollars,” Gerlach said. “I am hopeful that the Governor will immediately turn his attention to the Auditor General’s assessment that internal controls are too weak and move forward to put in place an oversight structure that comprehensively resolves these concerns. Republican members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation have recommended several steps the newly-created Economic Stimulus Oversight Committee could take to protect taxpayers and maximize the use of this money.”

Text of the letter is copied below:

April 23, 2009

The Hon. Edward G. Rendell

Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

225 Main Capitol Building

Harrisburg PA 17120

Dear Governor Rendell:

This is a follow-up to the recent news article regarding Auditor General Jack Wagner’s concerns over whether sufficient state mechanisms and controls are in place to properly track the use of federal economic stimulus funds. Because of this continuing concern, I would appreciate if you would provide me with your views on Auditor General Wagner’s comments.

Additionally, attached is a copy of the March 13, 2009 letter that Pennsylvania Republican House members sent to you recommending specific powers and activities of the newly-created Pennsylvania Economic Stimulus Oversight Committee. More specifically, members recommended:

· Giving the committee access to all state government operations utilizing stimulus funding.

· Tasking the committee to work with Ronald Naples, Chief Accountability Officer, and Secretary Creedon to establish an administrative process to track the use of all stimulus funding.

· Providing opportunities for the committee to offer guidance on the use of funds to ensure efficient and effective government spending.

· Granting committee members reasonable and timely access to Mr. Naples, Secretary Creedon, State Treasurer McCord, and State Auditor General Wagner to discuss ongoing spending activity and spending adjustments and modifications where warranted.

· Requiring the committee to issue periodic reports on the use of the stimulus funding.

· Allowing the committee to offer findings and recommendations to state and federal officials and legislators on how to improve, consolidate, or eliminate state or federal programs as necessary and otherwise make such programs more effective and efficient.

To date, members of the Delegation have not received a response about whether these recommendations will be implemented. The recommendations would go a long way toward protecting taxpayers and ensuring the maximum benefit of stimulus funding.

All of us at the state and federal level should be working together to make sure the public has confidence in the way these stimulus funds are handled. I’m looking forward to working with you to accomplish that goal and would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.

With kind regards, I am

Sincerely,

Jim Gerlach

Member of Congress

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