Friday, April 17, 2009
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$1.8 billion in stimulus funds spent, so far
ALBANY - State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Thursday announced $1.8 billion in federal stimulus funds have been spent so far in New York State.
Of the $1.8 billion, $1.7 billion was provided to the state and counties for Medicaid costs. Another $73 million was spent for extended unemployment insurance and to assist dislocated workers.
DiNapoli’s office also approved the first state contract using stimulus money. The contract was awarded to Slate Hill Constructors for $733,831 for culvert rehabilitation in the Towns of Urbana and Pulteney in Steuben County, including fixing drainage problems on the west side of Keuka Lake. The state Department of Transportation received eight bids in total for the project. DOT’s original estimate for the project prior to receiving bids was $885,000.
By law, the Comptroller’s office accounts for all federal funds, reviews and approves contracts for state agencies, and pays the state’s bills. The Comptroller’s independent oversight makes certain that the contract process is fair, complies with the law and taxpayers get the best value for their tax dollars. Last fiscal year, the office reviewed about 35,000 contracts, processed about 130,000 state payments daily and accounted for over $40 billion in federal grant awards.