New PA Stimulus Accountability Board Meets

Following through on earlier promises, Governor Rendell has appointed a "chief accountability officer" to oversee Pennsylvania's use of federal stimulus dollars. Rendell chose Montgomery County resident Ron Naples to head the effort. The 63-year-old former CEO will be paid $120,000 to oversee the dispersal of more than ten billion dollars in federal aid over the next year. Rendell says he envisions Naples working alongside General Services Secretary James Creedon, who's directing stimulus implementation. Rendell says, “He's not an auditor general. He's not just an auditor. His responsibilities are to make sure that transparency is there and accountability is there. To improve effectiveness. To make suggestions from what he sees and what he learns. And that's true for the whole commission.” The governor's Stimulus Oversight Commission held it’s first meeting shortly after Rendell announced Naples' appointment Tuesday. The board is made up of representatives from all four legislative caucuses, Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation, the Chamber of Business and Industry, United Way, and AFL-CIO. It will meet twice a month.