Murkowski Asks Obama Administration for Updates on Allocation of Stimulus Money for Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, wants the Obama administration to provide her with regular updates on how stimulus funds will be awarded and allocated for Alaska and specifically what projects and programs will benefit.

 

In a letter sent today to White House Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag, Murkowski said she agrees with President Obama that the economic stimulus law must be “targeted, timely and temporary.”

 

But Alaska’s senior senator said she is concerned about the lack of information from cabinet departments and agencies on how and when states and entities will be able to apply for funding, under what criteria, and the process for awarding federal grants, contracts and formula allocations.

 

“Particularly for my state, where the construction season can be as short as three and a half months, I would like to know how these determinations affect the ability of the AARA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) to function as a ‘timely’ stimulus in Alaska,” Murkowski wrote.

 

“I have received inquiries from numerous Alaskan project managers, all of whom are anxiously awaiting guidance so that they may schedule projects that achieve the principles laid out by the President for our rapidly approaching construction season.”

 

Murkowski said she shares the administration’s goals of transparency and accountability with respect to the stimulus, particularly given the large amount of taxpayer money contained in the law, the speed at which it is intended for the funds to be disbursed and the need to prevent waste and inefficiency.

 

“The information that I am requesting from you will help me to gauge the success of these goals and keep my constituents informed about the progress of ARRA implementation,” she wrote.