12:33 PM
grant abuses
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grant abuses , senate democrats , senate republicans , transparency
I received word from Republican Senate Leader Frank Watson via Capital Connection that the Chicago Tribune reported that there are grant abuses galore. The Senate Democrats gave out money to "special" non-profit groups, schools, businesses and churches. The lawmakers funneled the money through the State Board of Education. The Tribune investigation said that 48 groups had denied access to show where the money had been spent.
The Tribune first investigated this two years ago and the State Board of Education tried to tighten the grant process but the grants continued to be awarded. The Senate Democrats voted for the spending and refused to support Republican reforms.
The Republicans in the Senate sponsored SB1600, which would have prohibited appropriations and expenditures for legislative member initiatives. SB1540 would have allowed the Auditor General to do performance audits of earmarked appropriations that were not included as a separate line item in the Governor's proposed annual State budget. SB1601 would have made each appropriation in a gubernatorial or legislative member initiative by a separate line item appropriation that fully describes the initiative. These efforts were led by State Senator Gary Dahl (R-Granville). These efforts were blocked by the Senate Democrats. This situation has made clear that the Republicans want transparency in government, so that there is more accountability to the taxpayers. I too want the same, and would support such initiatives if elected to the State Senate.
The Tribune first investigated this two years ago and the State Board of Education tried to tighten the grant process but the grants continued to be awarded. The Senate Democrats voted for the spending and refused to support Republican reforms.
The Republicans in the Senate sponsored SB1600, which would have prohibited appropriations and expenditures for legislative member initiatives. SB1540 would have allowed the Auditor General to do performance audits of earmarked appropriations that were not included as a separate line item in the Governor's proposed annual State budget. SB1601 would have made each appropriation in a gubernatorial or legislative member initiative by a separate line item appropriation that fully describes the initiative. These efforts were led by State Senator Gary Dahl (R-Granville). These efforts were blocked by the Senate Democrats. This situation has made clear that the Republicans want transparency in government, so that there is more accountability to the taxpayers. I too want the same, and would support such initiatives if elected to the State Senate.