Special Features and Updates
Grantees Still Working to Spend Last Year’s EECBG Funds
Washington, Sept. 1 – A recent report from the Department of Energy illustrates just how hard it can be to get an ambitious new grant program off the ground, particularly when state and local governments are hamstrung by tight budgets and personnel shortages. Even economic stimulus grants designed to save jobs and get the economy moving can create new headaches for the cities, counties and states they are intended to aid.
Auditors Can Aid in Recovery Act Audit Planning
Washington, Aug. 23 – The extra reporting and oversight requirements necessitated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Pub. L. 111-5, may overwhelm some auditees new to the single audit process, so auditors are advised to provide extra assistance in helping their clients plan for these audits.
SNAP Program Fraud Control Concerns Raised
Washington, Aug. 20 – States may gain some valuable federal insight on ways to help them prevent fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — formerly the Food Stamp program — in response to concerns raised about state fraud detection units.
TIGER II Competition Even Fiercer Than Original
Washington, Aug. 12 – The Department of Transportation’s second installment of the popular Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants has proved every bit as sought-after as the original funding allocation provided in last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Congress Clears $26B Stimulus Package for States
Washington, Aug. 12 – It was a long, raucous struggle that required members of the House to break from their summer recess and return to Washington, but in the end, Congress cleared a much sought-after $26 billion emergency aid package for states that will ensure that upwards of 100,000 teachers will remain on the job this fall and alleviate some of the financial strain states have been feeling from the increased demand for Medicaid services.
