An executive order signed by Gov. Chris Christie Friday aims to put key review and reporting initiatives in place to ensure that distribution of Hurricane Sandy relief funds is done in an accountable and transparent matter.
The order, No. 125, directs the Office of the State Comptroller to conduct an independent, legal review of the procurement process for state contracts using federal reconstruction aid, according to a release. Each of the state's departments dealing with the distribution of federal aid will designate an "Accountability Officer" to work with the Comptroller's Office and the Governor's Office of Recovery and Rebuilding.
The order also requires that contracts approved with the state be made accessible to the public through a State-sponsored website, though a destination has not yet been identified.
The planned website will also provide information about available federal funding streams and funding criteria, tracking of funding, and contract vendor information.
A hot-line allowing residents to report suspected instances of the fraudulent use, waste, or abuse of federal restoration aid will also be established.
According to the release, a number of assigned staff from the Comptroller's Office will conduct procurement reviews as contracts are considered. Accountability Officers designated for each state department will share information and cooperate with the Comptroller's Office to facilitate the review process and serve as liaisons to the Governor's Office.
The State Comptroller will provide information to contracting entities regarding applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing the contracting process to help ensure accountability, transparency, and a timely allocation of rebuilding funds, according to a release. In addition, State departments and agencies will prominently display fraud prevention notices at all construction projects involving federal aid.
Is the Saturday meeting still on? It could be difficult driving for some of us because we need some roads to be plowed and I'm not optimistic. Many thanks.
This tacking on to bills is an issue whose time has come. We are all in one big financial mess that the tricks and games our "civil servants" play are at the expense often of the name of the bills that are intended to help people. It's just another thing to send as many emails as you can to say you are sick and tired of it. But be sure to let those Florida congressmen know what steps you are taking in reaction to what they did to us. It's unfortunate that NJ's representatives never seem to have enough clout to warn a group that this State's representatives and Senators will vote accordingly when the opportunity arises. We have two marginal Senators and not very many bright lights in the Congress.
The vultures are already circling... My neighbor sold his flood-zone house to a vulture buyer for less than $75,000. He gave up on living there when he heard what he'd have to spend for the rest of his life.
I'm a Realtor and I know my own home's value has dropped because of FEMA's onerous "pay now" (raise it for $60,000 if it were even possible to raise it) "or pay later" ($30,000 a year in flood insurance premiums) mandate. I'll be at today's regional protest rally: "Stop FEMA Now" Saturday 2/9/12, 3-4 pm, Belly Busters Restaurant, 708 Fischer Blvd, Toms River See you there!
Yes, the vultures are here but they possibly could come out losers. I can think of a few spots that could be used by our communities for good purposes if the owners do not want to rebuild. Should a post storm property owner show up, there wouldn't be any compassion given if the house was taken by the government. I can understand that it's cash in hand - though not enough to buy a new home anywhere in the land - but people need to slow down a bit and think through all sorts of things before they sell out to speculators.
. I suggest that we are being leached dry by the banks and that the parasites are almost ready to move on…
Catch the next wave at Facebook.com/Stopfemanow
Instead of thinking in the federal budget, what we should cut -- we should ask ourselves the opposite question. What should we keep? We should take all of what we're doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we're doing that we don't have to do? And those things we've got to stop doing, because we're borrowing $1.6 trillion more this year than we're taking in."
Instead of thinking in the federal budget, what we should cut -- we should ask ourselves the opposite question. What should we keep? We should take all of what we're doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we're doing that we don't have to do? And those things we've got to stop doing, because we're borrowing $1.6 trillion more this year than we're taking in."