March 11, 2009

Lt. Gov. Denn Will Serve as Delaware's Stimulus Czar

Markell executive order creates "Governor's Stimulus Solutions Group," launches www.recovery.delaware.gov web site for transparency

WILMINGTON – After Vice President Joseph R. Biden asked every Governor to appoint an "Implementation Czar" to oversee federal stimulus spending in their states, Governor Jack Markell today asked Lt. Governor Matt Denn to take on that responsibility and to help the state maximize the assistance Delaware will receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"We have worked, and will work, across each agency to ensure we can make the most of this opportunity to create jobs. Because of the way the funding is allocated, this does not come close to solving the historic budget shortfall we face next year. But it will help us with our roads, with public safety, with energy conservation and with our schools," Markell said. "Matt Denn has the experience, the wisdom and the drive to spearhead this effort. He understands how critical it is to get Delaware's economy moving again. He shares my belief that these obstacles can truly be opportunities."

The Governor will issue an Executive Order that:

• Creates the "Governor's Stimulus Solutions Group," which includes representatives from several state agencies and liaisons to local and county governments, school districts, higher education and private sector stakeholders seeking federal funds. Lt. Governor Denn and the Solutions Group will assist state agencies in their applications for grants, oversee the use of federal financing made available by the ARRA, look for ways to maximize the number of jobs created and the number of Delawareans who are able to get back to work with help from the stimulus package.

• Launches http://www.Recovery.Delaware.Gov. Governor Markell wants the spending of stimulus dollars to be both transparent and accountable, which the website will help accomplish. The Solutions Group will develop for the site a listing of capital projects and other programs financed in whole or in part by the Act, offer insight into the contracts awarded for those projects and programs, attempt to quantify the number of jobs created by these projects and programs, and provide other information that helps measure both impact and progress.

• Formally names Denn to the position of "Implementation Czar."

Denn will represent Delaware this Thursday at the "White House Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference," an all day meeting that will include presentations from several Cabinet Secretaries to help states understand the hundreds of requirements, programs and deliverables in the thousand-plus page bill.

"The Governor has assembled a great team to tackle these challenges. We need to get Delaware's economy moving again and I know that we will. But it will require coordination, cooperation and a new way of thinking to make the most of this opportunity," Denn said.