“If we can make some changes to make things right, we’re going to do it.”
So says Governor Earl Ray Tomblin of what’s next now that a legislative audit has found the state wasted millions of federal dollars on oversized computer routers.
In all, $24 million in federal stimulus money was spent in 2010 on the routers, the equipment that connects computer networks, for schools, public libraries and State Police barracks.
However, many of those routers are either two big or not usable in their intended locations.
The audit, released Sunday, estimates the state overspent on those routers by $8 million, at least, by not putting the purchase through the competitive bid process.
The buy decision was made when U.S. Senator Joe Manchin was West Virginia’s Governor. In a statement this week, he defended the purchase from Cisco saying the routers were meant to be “a long term investment for West Virginia.”
Governor Tomblin says, now that he’s in charge, all he can do is work to make sure future purchases are handled appropriately.
“We have them now,” he said of the routers. “What we’ve got to do is move forward, see what we can do to continue to make sure that broadband is all over this state and that we get the best use out of the computers.”
He says he’s instructed his Chief of Staff Rob Alsop to fully review the findings of the legislative audit.
Governor Tomblin was a guest on Thursday’s MetroNews Talkline.
The show originated from the State Capitol where the 2013 Regular Legislative Session is underway.