State Alows Residents to Track Stimulus Money

Making the case that government is instituting "unprecedented" oversight of the federal stimulus process, Governor Rendell outlined three steps the commonwealth is taking to make sure Pennsylvania's funding is spent correctly. The governor says Pennsylvania will likely reap $18 billion from the stimulus package including tax cuts, benefit expansions and federal funding. To help keep that all straight for residents he is appointing general services secretary James Creedon as his “point-man” on stimulus matters. Rendell says he will also create a new position to make sure the money goes where it's intended. Rendell says, “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, will let commonwealth residents track every dollar in stimulus funding. The governor is to meet with local leader, General Assembly members and Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation over the next few weeks to discuss specific stimulus projects.