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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Washington, Aug. 3 – The Office of Management and Budget has issued the long-awaited 2010 Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement that contains a number of requirements for auditors conducting single audits to follow when evaluating a grantee’s Section 1512 reports under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, along with details related to the new Federal Financial Form (SF-425). It will apply to audits of fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2009.

Washington, July 23 – Poor data and outdated regulations are hampering the Federal Highway Administration’s efforts to ensure that states effectively use federal funds to repair their most deficient bridges, a key official with the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General recently told a congressional panel.

Washington, July 16, 2010 — Purchases of iPods. Payments to Disney. Contracts with Harley-Davidson.

Washington, July 7 – Recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards can make it easier for the public to see how they are using tax dollars by clearly stating what they are doing with the funds in the project narrative sections of their quarterly reports, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Washington, June 29 – July 1 is just around the corner and for recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds that means it is time once again to begin filing their quarterly Section 1512 reports. The reports are required under the 2009 law and must outline how funds were spent and the number of jobs created and retained through their programs.