Ewer pans GOP bill to oversee stimulus spending

HELENA – A Republican plan to monitor Montana's use of nearly $800 million in federal stimulus money drew fire Wednesday from Gov. Brian's Schweitzer's budget director, David Ewer, (pictured) who called it unnecessary.

Senate Bill 460, sponsored by Senate President Robert Story, R-Park City, would establish a 13-person committee to monitor and check the progress of stimulus work in Montana. Voting members would include four legislators chosen by legislative leadership and four members of the public.

Non-voting members would include three chosen by Montana’s congressional delegation and two chosen by Schweitzer.

“All I think we need is an active oversight committee,” Story told the Senate Finance and Claims Committee today.

Story said the current oversight is too passive because the governor depends on people to report on their use of government money after the fact.

Though the committee has voting power, Story said it would rarely have to vote on anything. Its purpose would be to oversee federally funded projects and give voice to any discrepancies they see.

Several senators were concerned about legislators being in the minority on the new committee, but Story said he would not be opposed to changing the numbers.

But Ewer stood as the bill’s only opponent at the hearing. He said an oversight committee is unnecessary given the legislative interim committees already in place.

“We believe that the process you have to consider the (stimulus) bill is appropriate and accurate,” Ewer said.

Ewer also said the amount of stimulus money, nearly $800 million, should easily be handled by the same committees that deal with the $8 billion state budget. Most of the money will be funneled into existing programs anyway, he said.

Ewer also expressed concern that having public members on this committee would convolute the process.

“That’s an interesting filter,” Ewer said. “Who’s to say they’re going to get it right? Who’s to say they’re going to be transparent?”

Ewer said the governor is in an active oversight position, because the administration has the duty to carry out the decisions made by the Legislature.

“We’re where the rubber meets the road,” Ewer said. “You tell us what the rubber is, and we’re responsible for getting it out there.”

The bill also provides $100,000 over three years to hire consultants to help the committee understand stimulus projects. Sen. Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula, asked if that was necessary because the citizens on the committee should be able to offer this expertise.

Story said staff members rarely evaluate projects, so other expertise would be necessary.

The oversight effort would cost nearly $160,000. Story said the federal government expects heightened transparency on stimulus money, so some of the funds could help pay the committee’s cost. Otherwise, the money would come from the general fund.

Tori Hunthausen of the Legislative Audit Division told lawmakers that the federal oversight process is still being crafted, but federal auditors will choose 15 or 16 states to audit monthly. Those states will be chosen by early next week, she said.

-by CNS correspondent Molly Priddy