“One of the cornerstones of the federal recovery effort is to be transparent and accountable with every dollar being spent in Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “This new site is one important way we can be transparent and accountable with the dollars we are using in the commonwealth to save and create jobs.”
The site – www.kentuckyatwork.ky.gov – is named for the state’s stimulus initiative, “Kentucky at Work.” The site includes a link to the federal stimulus site – www.recovery.gov, as well as links that will allow Kentuckians and other interested parties to track how dollars are being spent as they come into the state.
The site also contains a welcome message and video from Gov. Beshear as well as a breakdown of where federal stimulus dollars are going.
The Web site’s debut comes as the governor has officially confirmed to the federal government that Kentucky will be accepting stimulus dollars. The official letter, required to receive recovery aid, is also posted on the Web site.
The Kentucky at Work initiative will receive about $3 billion over the next 28 months for strategic investments in health care, education, energy, infrastructure and economic development. In addition, the state will be able to compete for further investments in areas such as energy research and education.
The majority of those dollars, Gov. Beshear said, will help Kentucky mitigate the impact of declining revenues resulting from the deep recession in the state and national economies on our highest priorities of education, healthcare and public safety. Gov. Beshear said it’s critical that one-time dollars from the stimulus effort be used wisely and strategically to preserve commitments and save and create jobs and economic opportunities where possible.
To that end, Gov. Beshear’s interagency work group that is planning the Kentucky at Work initiative continues to move forward with its work. Last week, State Budget Director Mary Lassiter joined other state leaders from across the country for a meeting on stimulus efforts. The group was addressed by both President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Vice President Biden has been directed by President Obama to oversee much of the stimulus implementation at the state and local levels.
“The President and Vice President – along with other administration officials – made it very clear that transparency and accountability are keys to a successful recovery effort,” Lassiter said. “Our Web site – kentuckyatwork.ky.gov – is an important pillar in that process.”
