**GAO-09-908T**                      Published: Sep 10, 2009. Publicly Released: Sep 10, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

This testimony is based largely on GAO's July 8, 2009 report, in response to a mandate under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This testimony provides selected updates, including the status of federal Recovery Act outlays. The report addresses: (1) selected states' and localities' uses of Recovery Act funds, (2) the approaches taken by the selected states and localities to ensure accountability for Recovery Act funds, and (3) states' plans to evaluate the impact of Recovery Act funds. GAO's work for the report is focused on 16 states and certain localities in those jurisdictions as well as the District of Columbia--representing about 65 percent of the U.S. population and two-thirds of the intergovernmental federal assistance available. GAO collected documents and interviewed state and local officials. GAO analyzed federal agency guidance and spoke with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials and with program officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Departments of Education, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, and Transportation.

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## Topics

Government Operations

AccountabilityBudget obligationsBudget outlaysData collectionDocumentationEligibility criteriaFederal aid for highwaysFederal aid for housingFederal aid for transportationFederal aid to localitiesFederal aid to statesFederal fundsFederal legislationstate relationsFund auditsFunds managementGrantsGrants to statesHigher educationHousing programsInternal controlsLocally administered programsMedicaidMonitoringPerformance measuresPrioritizingProgram evaluationProgram managementPublic housingRehabilitation programsReporting requirementsRisk assessmentRisk factorsRisk managementSchool districtsState programsState-administered programsStrategic planningYouth employment programsProgram goals or objectivesProgram implementationPublic safety