Stimulus Audit: Taxpayers Paid $27 Per Light Bulb?
- Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:43pm by
Meredith Jessup
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New Jersey state auditor Stephen Eels has released a report decrying tens of thousands of dollars in “unreasonable costs” — including $27 light bulbs — in a “weatherization” program funded with U.S. stimulus money, Bloomberg reports. 
According to report from the state auditor’s office which reviewed just a fraction of the $119 million stimulus project, lackluster oversight resulted in serious taxpayer-funded discrepancies, including one contractor who billed $27 for light bulbs, while another charged just $1.50 for the same wattage.
In another case, one vendor charged $75 for carbon-monoxide detectors for one project and $22 for the same detector on a different project. Eels’ report also cited $32,700 in “auditing fees” when “no services had been performed,” and $69,000 in “construction costs” which couldn’t be verified.
Out of $613,600 in charges reviewed, $54,000, or 8.8 percent, was deemed unreasonable by Auditor Stephen Eells, according to a Nov. 8 report to lawmakers. The audit examined program oversight by the state Community Affairs Department.
“Weatherization agencies have been reimbursed for unreasonable costs because of inadequate review of financial reports and lack of guidance from the state and federal governments,” said the audit. It said the state agency’s review of contractor expenditures was “cursory.”
The state didn’t pay for the $27 light bulbs and the $75 carbon-monoxide detectors after the audit, according to Lori Grifa, the Community Affairs Department’s commissioner. Since Eells began the review, the two most-senior state employees overseeing the program have been replaced and a third has been reassigned, she said in a written response to the audit.
In May, the department hired an accounting firm to review invoices from the 23 agencies that carry out the weatherization work under program contracts, Grifa said. The added controls will help the state make more than 13,000 residential units more energy efficient within three years, she said.
New Jersey is just one of many states receiving stimulus grant funds for new “weatherization” projects. Out of last year’s $814 billion stimulus plan, about $5 billion were allocated to the weatherization program, according to the Energy Department.
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Comments (115)
benrush
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:57pmRepeal the 16th Amendment. It was never ratified anyway, so it should be easy.
Also Repeal the Federal Reserve Act. It’s un-Constitutional and why should an international cartel of moneymen have monopoly powers over US currency?
Maybe, just maybe, do you think this is how they siphoned off America’s wealth with the dollar declining in value 96 percent over the last 97 years?
We’ve been conned bigtime.
Report Post »Parkeralan
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:58pmYep but they kept the masses amused with lots of shiny fun things to play with….
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:55pmI may be wrong, but I‘m guessing the whole weatherization portion of the stimulus was our buddy Van Jones’ idea. I wonder how many of his socialist buddies lined thier pockets on this whole deal.
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:52pmlibertarianlimey is just a idiot and a trouble maker so pay him no mind ,,, about the bulbs ,, this is what government does with our money ,, government could care less about wasting because to the dum-o-rat party it s just free money and when it runs out they will just raise taxes to get more ….
Report Post »JohnnyJT
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:44pmWe need to take away the Money the Fed Govt
Report Post »gets from Hight Taxes it imposes on us.
Wartface
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:38pmThese are the same people that keep saying we are the riches country in the world… they are not accountants and have no idea about the difference between Cash flow VS Net worth! We are broke and living on borrowed money. They are retards! But then maybe they do and realize… and think the more money they take from us the tax payer, the less we owe the China man! If we keep people like this running our Government we are Doomed! Doomed I tell ya. Vote them all out of office both Democrats and Republicans! Never, Never, Never vote for an incumbent of either party until they start putting this country back together!
Report Post »pattybbb1
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:26pmone less unemployed light bulb!
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:44pmWhat’s more, they saved the jobs of 1.4 million other light bulbs! Great success!!!
Report Post »HimmlersMasterPlan
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:26pmThe gubbamints only jobs are to protect our freedoms. Why are they trying to stimulate the economy? That’s not in their job description. It was never designed to help people it was designed to protect people but believe what you guys want. Once you let the help you. You let yourselves become dependent upon them.
Report Post »Highland
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:19pmThat one lightbulb saved or created 10,000 jobs all by itself. Just ask Barry Hussein.
Report Post »Fear The Voices
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:18pmSo much for the Joe “Big F’in Deal” Biden’s oversight. I guess if there was real transparency within the program, the peasants like us would have been able to reason some of the waste ourselves.
Report Post »spendthrift
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:17pmOur tax dollars hard at work….stimulating theft.
Report Post »meisterschaft
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:16pmSure is easy to spend money that isn’t theirs huh?
Report Post »Fear The Voices
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:21pmSadly, it isn’t ours either (borrowed); but we and our future descendants get the pleasure of paying it all back with interest.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:15pmWhen do we find out about the $600 toilet seats and $150 hammers?
Report Post »libertarianlimey
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:14pmMy God!!! $54,000? That’s enough to supply Gov. Christie with lean cuisine, so he can get Lamont Hill’s vote for POTUS in 2012!!
Report Post »oldasdirt
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:12pmLooks like we got alot more takeing back of the government to do.Not sure we can wait a whole 2 more years before it happens though.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:05pmthese arnt the golden toilet seats and hammers you are looking for……………..
Report Post »denofcubs
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:03pmCan anyone tell me who the contractor was that charged $27 for a light bulb? He needs a whipping also.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 9:56pmHey, those lightbulbs aren’t cheap! We aren’t allowed to use the kind that are made in the USA so they had to be shipped from China.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:01pmdo we really need a federal government anymore?
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:23pmWho else is going to bully us, run us over like a mack truck and steal all of our money?
Report Post »aero_dan
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:49pmNope! We gots Chancillor Obamma to protect us…. Don’t we?
Report Post »Parkeralan
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:51pmMilitary, Borders and the rest to the States!
Report Post »tr68gt
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:01pmTypical government waste. Most people hear about this so often they don’t get upset anymore.
Report Post »I know I do, and so should everyone else!
Fear The Voices
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:14pmIt seems like the more government tries to spend, the more they seem to mismanage, or outright waste. Yet, these same incompetents have tried to convince us that they’ll eliminate the waste in Medicare and save the taxpayers billions of dollars….. making obamacare less costly than doing nothing. LOL!
Report Post »If you believe that, I’ve got some light bulbs and solar panels to sell you!
DagneyT
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:58pmWill real cuts be made in the bureaucracy? If they are not, we’ll fire these guys too!
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:56pmWhen the Government just tosses out a large amount of money with the idea of stimulating the economy is just a recipe for corruption. And to make matters worse, there are no consequences for the corruption. have you seen anyone held accountable for all the Government waste and corruption? Not one person being charged, jailed, or investigated. Look at Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Maxine Waters, Charlie Rengal, and all the other enablers. They just keep getting away with this cause there are no consequences for this theft.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:03pmThe Blaze staff, where is that thumbs up button when I need it?
Report Post »felina g
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:25pmExactly.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:48pmCEMOTO78, you need to adjust your thinking to the left way. On the left, they do not lie, they misspeak or are misunderstood; they do not steal, they redistribute the wealth-starting with themselves; there are no consequences, since the ends justify the means; they do not believe in personal responsibility, it is collective so to their way of thinking we the people caused Barney Frank, Maxine Water, Charlie Rangel, Nancy Pelosi, and BHO to act the ways they did. Ah, the innocence of corruption!
Report Post »JohnEightOne2Ten
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:55pmAnd,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, just who is surprised by another inefficient, inept, sloppy, uh, poorly run, uh, little or no common sense guvmint project? Oh, I forgot, BHO and Nancy Pissalosi, they are surprised. Right!
Report Post »be heard
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:46pmIf the government is handing out money, their will be union contractors out there ready to get paid for a job not well done.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:55pmWow, I need some weather stripping around my front door, think the govt would reimburse me $45,000 if I get it done?? morons.
Report Post »what4
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:42pmNo kidding Kate….do it yourself…$10….have a union gubment worker do it $44.000.00
Report Post »Abel
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:54pmHow many light bulbs does it take to screw the taxpayer?
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:01pmJudging from our dear leader and his minions, not much!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:03pmone
Report Post »Neuhouser
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:06pmCongratulations! you win +1 internets for your witty comment.
Report Post »RowanGingerRaven
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:18pmOne Mercury bulb will do it I’m sure.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:32pmThe other day one of the companies that do the weatherproofing came by and knocked on my door wanting ti do work at no cost to me. When he finished with the ass chewing and lesson I gave him about who paid for it the guy hung his head and walked off. He just thought he could waltz into my house do some crummy work and the government just magically developed money for him…
He kept saying,you dont pay for it, the stimulus does…I told him I was the stimulus!!! That money is mine!! MORON!!
Report Post »Tazzy
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:34pmAll of us !
Report Post »whamhost.info WORKS FROM HOME
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:08pmWow they are really coming out to attack people on this site. “Congratulations! you win +1″
Report Post »whamhost.info WORKS FROM HOME
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:10pmI guess media maters wasn’t the only party to receive a million dollar check form mr soros money
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:16pmWith the people in this government how many light bulbs does it take to screw the taxpayer. ONLY ONE——-DIM BULB OBALMY!
Report Post »kahall
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:00pmHow many liberal elitists does it take to screw in a lightbulb? It’s a really obscure number, you’ve probably never heard of it.
Report Post »dataway
Posted on November 13, 2010 at 2:08pmI love reading these comments. Clever but clean. Thanks!
Report Post »SavvyCowboy
Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:42pmYou think THIS is bad….wait‘ll you see ’bama-care!!!
Repeal – RENEGE – NOW!
Report Post »Bullcop34
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:52pm1st post???
Report Post »Bullcop34
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:55pmDang it!
Report Post »Aron
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:27pmWe forgive you.
Report Post »123gone
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:13pmMust I remind you folks of the age-old question:
Report Post »How many Union Electricians does it take to screw in a light bulb? And no telling how many it takes to plug in a carbon-monoxide detector. Yes, good old Union Labor.
flintandsteel
Posted on November 13, 2010 at 2:45amIt really only takes one union electrician to screw in a light bulb, but it takes seven more other union electricians to set up and hold the ladder, three more to unpack the bulb, two more to test it, one more to handle the tester, two more to drive the truck to the site (driver and assistant), two more to carry the ladder in and out, three more to check the fixture for shorts, one more to switch off the mains breaker, one more to hold the flashlight, and two more to do all the records and paperwork.
Because of all this frenzied activity, only one bulb can be changed in an eight hour shift. Whereas the bulb costs only $27.00, the labor at union electricians rate is about 25 x 8 x $54.00 = $10,800.00 for each bulb installed.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on November 13, 2010 at 1:15pmI know you guys are only joking but my husband is a union electrician…could not get the job he has unless he joined the carpenters union…which is ridiculous since he is after all an ELECTRICIAN…they take money out of our checks every month and for what…apparently to pay for campaigns!
Report Post »benrush
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:52pmThey are racists, pay them no mind.
Report Post »whamhost.info WORKS FROM HOME
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:56pmI am sorry but I missed the racism part where is it?
Report Post »benrush
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:01pmThe state auditor – obviously, only a racist could find fault with the stimulus.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:02pmRacist comes in where….?
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:04pmOh, WHAMHOST, now your a racist too, right along with the rest of us.
Report Post »libertarianlimey
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:16pmWho are racists, – the light bulbs?
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:20pmnice…its probably only the tip of the iceberg…some of things I’ve read about that… they used the “stimulus money” for…. makes my EYES BLEED!!!!
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:28pmDid the same contractor charge higher on a lot of things? If so, can they blacklist them from other projects?
“$54,000, or 8.8 percent, was deemed unreasonable…”
Hey! Look at that! They just created 1/3 of a federal job!!!
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:33pmThis are very clear cases of fraud and misappropriation of funds. Clearly. If this is not followed up by our government and CHARGES filed,,,,then one or more g-men are a part of it or are permitting it to happen. It really makes me question the appropriation of other moneys from the stimulus, as well. How many hands have illegally been in the cookie jar???
Report Post »troyvar
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:33pmRelax, I’m from the government, and I’m here to help…
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:46pmOh, ok. I do feel better now.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:57pmYou know, there was a time when such actions of paying too much for items went by one of two names – theft, or bribery. In these cases, it would not suprise me to find out it would be both of them at the same time.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »drbage
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:41pmSorry, they couldn’t be racist since they were union contractors.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:48pmOnly a racist would perform an audit. Only a victim would blame others for any wrong doing.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:49pmI certainly hope the state’s attorney is looking into this and refunds are in order. Same system, different God Father. Go Chris!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 9:22pmWHAMHOST just incase you aren’t kidding, WE get called racist so often it has become a bit of a joke. Don’t pay any attention to it, we’re just goofing around.
Report Post »dataway
Posted on November 13, 2010 at 2:06pmVery astute!
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