Now that broadband grants are out, Commerce seeks money to make sure funds aren't misused

The Commerce Department is done doling out $4 billion in broadband stimulus grants. Now, it says it doesn't have enough money for oversight and monitoring of those grants to ensure they are put to good use.

In its quarterly report, Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration urged Congress to approve $23.7 million requested by President Barack Obama for broadband stimulus oversight. "Such funding is critically important to ensure that NTIA can effectively administer and monitor ... grants and to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent consistent with the Recovery Act's purposes," wrote NTIA. Indeed, the Commerce Department's Inspector General wrote in a report earlier this month that it was concerned with current oversight and management of grants, such as computer training for administrative staff. And it said funds to oversee the 233 grants would run out in December.