March 9, 2009
  | ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS QUESTION WHETHER NEWLY NAMED |
  |
With today’s announcement by Gov. Jon Corzine of the members of the state’s task force that will oversee the distribution of federal stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Republican members on the Assembly Budget Committee were skeptical of the participants’ ability to properly evaluate such a critical program.
“The list of panelists contains names that are eerily familiar,” commented Republican Budget Officer Joseph Malone. “Based on the state’s track record of overseeing multi-million dollar projects like school construction, I am not confident that this panel will ensure that these monies will be properly allocated. In fact, I’d say this group looks like the same guardians of the hen house, except that now there are no chickens left.”
Assemblywoman Alison McHose, R-Sussex, Hunterdon, and Morris stated, “The oversight committee members have a huge task in front of them. Given their previous accomplishments, the people of the state should pay close attention as to where the stimulus dollars will go. Nothing should be assumed with this group of panelists.”
“The governor certainly did not delve ‘outside the box’ in his selection of panelists,” said Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “Not only will the federal government be scrutinizing how funds will be spent, but so will all New Jerseyans. Trenton’s track record for overseeing how government-aid is spent has not been stellar. Even the State Comptroller admitted that these funds are ripe for misuse. The named panel does not lead one to believe things will be any different.”
Newly appointed Republican Budget Committee member David Wolfe, R-Ocean, remarked, “It seems that representation from somewhere besides former or current government officials would be appropriate. There would be nothing wrong with a fresh set of eyes watching and offering insight into the process. People will be closely watching any discretionary spending recommendations made by the panel. I hope that the lack of oversight that marks other state programs is not duplicated by those named today.”
