Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment
Putting people to work. Rebuilding Wisconsin. Getting the Economy moving.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment?

Governor Jim Doyle created the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment in Executive Order #274 to help Wisconsin proactively prepare to make the best use of the federal stimulus package once it is passed by Congress. The office is laying the groundwork to help get federal money out the door for worthy and worthwhile projects that immediately create and maintain jobs. Governor Doyle tasked the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment with the following:
o Understand fully the stimulus package and how to access funds o Identify obstacles to moving funds quickly and make recommendations on how to remove them
o Serve as a resource for local governments to help them coordinate and access funds
o Work with the private sector to determine the availability of labor, materials and markets
o Prioritize projects according to the federal criteria established in the stimulus legislation

How will funding decisions be made for stimulus projects?

Decisions on which stimulus projects should be selected and how they should be funded will be made under the same process currently used by the Governor and the Legislature. All major building decisions, major road projects and appropriations already have a rigorous review and approval process in place. Creation of the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment does not remove or change any current legislative authority or oversight. The Office of Recovery and Reinvestment will analyze projects to determine if they meet the federal program criteria and make recommendations. The Office will also make recommendations on changes that could help remove barriers to quickly moving the stimulus funds.

Why do we have to move so fast on these stimulus projects?

Currently, the federal stimulus package provides some pots of money with the requirement that the funds be obligated within 90 to 180 days or the money will go to a different state. Even more important, every day there are announcements of plants closing or downsizing and people losing their jobs. It is important to get some of the stimulus money out as quickly as possible to create jobs and help families that have been hit hard by the national economic crisis.

How is the federal money distributed?

Both the House and Senate stimulus packages establish more than a hundred specific programs. Many programs are increases to existing programs with little or no discretion and some are competitive grants which will require project proposals to be prepared and submitted to federal agencies. The federal stimulus legislation does not create large block grants to be transferred to states.

What accountability and transparency steps does the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment plan to take?

The stimulus package includes extensive provisions to ensure that the state spends funds appropriated under the act consistently with the purposes of the act. The requirements include:
o Strict time limits for obligating the funds
o Public access to contract and grant information, primarily by use of the new website
o Requirements for competitive contracting
o Certifications by the Governor or local officials that infrastructure expenditures have been fully reviewed and are an appropriate use of tax dollars

The stimulus package also requires the state to report to the federal government the uses of funds provided under the act, how the state distributed the funds it received, the number of jobs the Governor estimates were saved or created with funds the state received, tax increases that the Governor estimates were averted because of the availability of funds and other information. The bill also includes extensive provisions for federal oversight, reviews and audits, coordinated by a Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board. It requires the state to give federal inspectors general and the Board access to all records related to contracts administered under the act and access to employees for interviews.

Who Staffs the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment?

Staff for the new office are on temporary assignment from other state agencies. No new state employees will be hired to staff the office. Madison Gas and Electric Chairman, President and CEO Gary J. Wolter to head the new office. Wolter has agreed to serve on a voluntary basis while he retains has duties with MGE.

How long will the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment exist?

The new office will coordinate evaluation and processing of the programs in the stimulus bill and, once decisions are made, continued program support will be within the existing state and local agencies.

How do I suggest a project to the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment?

If you have a project that you think will fit the criteria in the stimulus package and will create jobs in Wisconsin visit our website at www.recovery.wisconsin.gov. Just click on the “Suggest” button and complete the form.