Panel Created to Watch Stimulus Spending

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- State leaders are taking action to ensure Oklahoma is using their share of the stimulus money wisely.

In the effort, Governor Brad Henry created the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Coordinating Council, with the first council meeting being held Friday. The group's goal is to make sure the money is being used effectively and efficiently.

"We've been extremely excited about the fact that we're getting about one year's of our budget in the stimulus package, which is about $465 million, and that allows us to expedite one year's worth of projects," said ODOT spokesperson Terri Angier.

ODOT isn't the only agency seeing the federal stimulus money soon to be in the works. The state's Web site shows the stimulus money will also invest in a several other areas including education, healthcare, public safety and energy.

In a statement Governor Brad Henry said:

"We've been working on Oklahoma's role in the stimulus package for many weeks now, but I felt it was important to formalize the process and create an official entity to ensure that every base is covered and every stimulus dollar is used in the most effective and efficient manner possible."

The panel to oversee the spending includes several members from the governor's cabinet and state officials.