Panel to monitor NY

http://www.cd-rom-advisor.com/article/Cotton-exports-to-double-on-China--Pak-demand.html
Paterson billed the panel as independenyt and a watchdog that will track federakl stimulus money as it is delegater and spent in the New York is expected toreceive $26. 7 billion of federal stimulus monehy throughearly 2011. The panel will “prevent waste, abuse and mismanagement” of stimulus Paterson said. The panel will also ensure that stimulus contracts compluy with lawsand regulations, and that contractors on stimulus projectsa are not unlawfully discriminating in decidinhg who to hire to help complete the Paterson said the paneo reports directly to him, recommending actiones that state agencies should take to eliminatre any “vulnerabilities” or vagueness in the contractinhg and oversight processes of federal stimulus money.
The panel will be heade d by state Inspector GeneralJosepyh Fisch. The other three memberds are: • James Sheehan, the state’s Medicaid Inspector General • Barry Kluger, inspectof general for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Galen Kirkland, commissioner of the state Divisio of Human Rights Kirkland, for one, will ensure that the awarding and execution of stimulus-funded work complie s with federal and stat e civil rights laws, and with mandates to providw some work to minority- or women-ownef businesses.
“These three inspectoras general and Commissioner Kirkland havethe credentials, the and the experience necessary to prevent, detec t and deter fraudulent, wasteful and abusive practices,” Patersonm said. Complaints about alleged fraud, discrimination or other criminal activity connected with stimulus work can be directecd to the stateInspector General’s hotline, (800) DO-RIGHgT or through the Web site .
The state’w stimulus Web site is , whicg tracks stimulus contracts and provides pagese of information detailing all the aspects ofthe $787 billion