The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that passed in February is creating significant interest in local communities and continues to be the buzz at the State Capitol. The large and complicated legislation is now being interpreted through volumes of federal rules and regulations. State administrations and agencies are sorting through these ever-changing guidelines to determine how the funds can be made available to help.
On Monday of this week, Governor Phil Bredesen named Charles L. Harrison, CPA, CGFM, as Special Assistant to the Governor for Recovery Act Administration. Harrison will lead the state’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“I am extremely pleased to have someone of Charles Harrison’s experience and qualifications to lead our implementation of this important Act,” said Bredesen. “The financial and project management expertise he brings to our efforts will help ensure the funds that come to Tennessee are used to their full potential and that we are complying with the rigorous requirements of the Act for accountability and transparency in its implementation.”
Harrison, who is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Tennessee and is a Certified Government Financial Manager, has served as the assistant to the state’s Comptroller of the Treasury since 1985. In that position he was directly involved with the financial management of state project and contracts, provided accounting, budgeting, information systems and human resources support to the Office of the Comptroller, and advised state departments regarding procurement and contracting issues.
“Charles is uniquely qualified for this role,” said Deputy to the Governor John Morgan, who served as Comptroller of the Treasury from 1999 to January of this year. “His management skills and familiarity with Tennessee state government will allow him to move with the expedience that Governor Bredesen and the federal government expect in implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”
Harrison will lead a state ARRA task force that includes representatives of Finance and Administration’s budget and information resources divisions, the Office of State Policy and Planning, and designated representatives from state agencies involved in implementation of the Act.
I have discussed with the Deputy Governor the need for local government associations and agencies to be involved and work cooperatively with this new state office to help disseminate information to county and city governments. In the coming weeks, as more information becomes available, I will be working with CTAS to find the best ways to get this important information to you.
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