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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Rendell names accountability officer

Politicians, labor leaders, a couple of people with business background and more politicians will oversee how Pennsylvania spends the federal stimulus money.

And you thought the money was going to be squandered didn't you? Who best to trust with billions of dollars than Ed Rendell and some of his closest associates?

Rendell announced today that Ronald J. Naples of Montgomery County will serve as chairman of the Governor's Working Group for Stimulus Accountability and Chief Accountability Officer.

Naples is the former CEO of Quaker Chemical Corp. in Conshohocken.

Brad Bumstead of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that Naples, former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia will be paid $120,000 a year from the $16 billion Pennsylvania will receive in federal stimulus money.

From Busted's article:
Under the act, Pennsylvania can spend up to $500,000 on administrative costs for distributing the stimulus money, Rendell added.

When asked if he could find a volunteer for the job, Rendell said, "You can go out and buy a car. Or you can have someone give you a car. My guess is the one you buy will run better."

Rendell previously hired Ken Snyder, a Philadelphia public relations man, for a $100,000 contract to tout the stimulus law.
Here is a list of the members of the Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Commission and who or what they represent:
From the Administration:

Governor Edward G. Rendell

General Services Secretary James Creedon, Chief Implementation Officer

Ronald J. Naples, Chairman of the Governor's Working Group for Stimulus Accountability and Chief Accountability Officer

From the PA Chamber of Business and Industry:

Gene Barr, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs

From the United Way of Pennsylvania:

Tony Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Pennsylvania

From the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

Donald C. Siegel, International Vice President, District 3, IBEW

From the Pennsylvania House of Representatives:

Democratic Caucus: Rep. Jennifer Mann, Caucus Secretary (132nd Legislative District)

Republican Caucus: Rep. Brian Ellis (11th Legislative District)

From the Pennsylvania Senate:

Democratic Caucus: Sen. Robert J. Mellow, Leader (22nd Senate District)

Republican Caucus: Sen. Michael Waugh, Caucus Chair (28th Senate District)

From Pennsylvania's U.S. Congressional Delegation:

Republican Representative: former U.S. Congressman Phil English

Democratic Representative: Paul E. Kanjorski, U.S. House of Representatives

J. Terry Kostoff, U.S. Senator Robert Casey

Charles Battaglia, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter
Read Rendell's press release announcing Naples' appointment at the link below:

Governor Rendell Names Accountability Officer, Continues To Promote Transparency for Federal Stimulus Investments

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