Assembly Republicans are calling for the creation of a special Legislative committee to help approve how any federal stimulus dollars are spent.
The resolution introduced on the Assembly floor Tuesday would create a panel of lawmakers to review and approve projects funded by money from a federal stimulus package. State Representative Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay) says the panel is needed to protect taxpayers and allow lawmakers to have a say in how a potential $3 billion will be spent.
During debate in the Assembly, state Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) said there will already be plenty of oversight for the process, and the proposal is just an effort to add another layer of bureaucracy. Pocan says it "just smells of people trying to cause problems."
Republican state Representative Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington) says the proposal is not about raising objections to the stimulus program or creating roadblocks. He says it's just about making sure the Legislature is a part of the process and the money is spent efficiently and effectively.
The measure was sent to the Assembly Rules Committee, where its future is unknown.