Special Features and Updates
AASHTO Tracks ARRA Progress, Advocates for More Transportation Funding
Washington, Feb. 18 – As the one-year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Pub. L. 111-5) passes, the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials is touting the progress and jobs created, while advocating for more long-term transportation funding from Congress.
Broadband Application Window Now Open
Washington, Feb. 16 – At 8 a.m. this morning, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Rural Utilities Service began accepting applications for the $4.8 billion in Recovery Act funds that remain available for round two of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the Broadband Initiatives Program.
States Seek To Correct Deficiencies Discovered in Recovery Act Audits
Washington, Feb 11 – A pilot program that allows state agencies to begin taking steps to address Office of Inspector General recommendations to boost internal controls of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-supported programs months before they would have under traditional single audit timelines, is already paying benefits
California Faces Losing $93M in Weatherization Funds
Washington, Feb 4 – State agencies should set realistic performance goals and proactively establish standard procedures for managing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to avoid such obstacles California faces in implementing its Recovery Act Weatherization program. As of Dec. 1, 2009, no homes in the state had been weatherized using Recovery Act funds even though the U.S. Department of Energy six months earlier made some $93 million available to the state Department of Community Services and Development.
Report Grades States on ARRA Web Sites
Washington, Feb. 2 – When President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law almost one year ago, he vowed the $787 billion package of grants, loans and other federal assistance would be distributed with “unprecedented transparency and accountability” so as to prevent waste, fraud and abuse of the landmark spending program. Since then, federal agencies have scrambled to make good on that pledge by implementing strict regulations to track the funds, and grantees have reported their expenditures in greater detail than ever before.
