Dinniman Holds Hearing on Citizen Accountability Corps Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2009
CONTACT: ADAM CIRUCCI
PHONE: 610-692-2112
acirucci@pasenate.com
Senator Andy Dinniman recently introduced the Citizen Accountability Corps Act, ground breaking legislation that calls for the establishment of a citizens’ oversight board and corps to monitor Pennsylvania’s federal stimulus infrastructure funds.
“Over the next two years, we expect to receive $1.5 billion in federal stimulus infrastructure dollars. Yet, there is currently no mechanism in state government that can effectively, efficiently and responsibly manage that much spending,” Dinniman said. “My legislation utilizes the talents of some of our best and brightest citizens, many of whom have suddenly found themselves out of work, to ensure that Pennsylvania makes the most of every cent of every dollar in federal stimulus funding.”
Dinniman’s comments followed Thursday’s Policy Committee hearing on how the national economic downturn is affecting residents of southeastern Pennsylvania and what can be done to lessen the recession’s local impact.
The hearing, which included testimony from several local white-collar professionals who are unemployed due to the poor economy, was attended by state Senators Vincent Hughes, Anthony Williams, Mike O’Pake and Shirley Kitchen.
It will be broadcast on the Pennsylvania Capitol Network (PCN)at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.
“The hearing was truly an eye-opening experience,” Dinniman said. “It is clear that the new global economy affects everyone and spares no one. Places like Chester County, one of the wealthiest and highest educated regions in the country, are no longer insulated. The typical responses of government to unemployment no longer apply. Highly skilled and talented professionals now too find themselves caught in the vice of globalization.”
The Citizens Accountability Corps as proposed by Senator Dinniman would inspect stimulus-funded projects and make sure they provide Pennsylvania maximum benefit in terms of stimulating the state’s economy and improving its infrastructure.
The corps would be funded with one-half of 1 percent of the dollars to be received, which would be a maximum of $7.5 million if Pennsylvania gets the $1.5 billion it expects in federal infrastructure funding.
“The stimulus represents the largest debt we have taken on since World War II. It is truly a staggering amount of money and we cannot afford to let these dollars disappear into operating costs or dissolve into bureaucracy,” Dinniman said. “This is not an issue of Republicans versus Democrats or Philadelphia versus the suburbs. We are all in the same boat and the swells are not getting any smaller. If we are going to weather this storm, it’s high time to take up oars and start rowing in the same direction.”
Already, 15 senators have signed on to co-sponsor the act.
For further information, please contact Senator Dinniman’s Communications Director, Adam Cirucci, at 610-692-2112 or at acirucci@pasenate.com.
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