For immediate release: Friday, February 26, 2010
Contact: Oversight and Government Reform Press Office, (202) 225-5051

Committee to Assess Recovery Act Impact, Oversight at LA Field Hearing

WASHINGTON – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY) and Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization and Procurement Chairwoman Diane Watson (D-CA) will hold a joint field hearing on Friday, March 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA, to examine the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) within the State of California.   The hearing will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will be held in the California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, California 90037.

The hearing will examine information on the use of Recovery Act funds by State and local governments, with particular attention to the use and vulnerability of funds dedicated to education, transportation, and energy programs and projects; the State’s Section 1512 recipient reporting; an evaluation of the administration and oversight of Recovery funded projects and programs within the State; and an assessment of measures taken to prevent waste, fraud and abuse of Recovery Act funds.  Additionally, the hearing will examine how budget shortfalls have impacted the use of Recovery Act funding and related project and program implementation within California and its localities.

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is responsible for oversight of spending under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Since the Recovery Act was signed into law last year, Chairman Towns has been committed to investigating the implementation and impact of the Recovery Act, with particular attention to waste, fraud and abuse of stimulus funds.

Witnesses invited to testify include:

The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Mayor of the City of Los Angeles

The Honorable Patrick J. Morris
Mayor of the City of San Bernardino

The Honorable Chuck R. Reed
Mayor of the City of San Jose

Mr. Herb K. Schultz Director
California Recovery Task Force
Office of the Governor

Ms. Laura N. Chick
Recovery Act Inspector General
State of California

Ms. Linda Calbom
Western Regional Director
U.S. Government Accountability Office

The Honorable Elaine M. Howle
California State Auditor

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