Comment on Iowa governor asks inspector general to reconsider ruling on use of pandemic aid for computer system

Gov. Kim Reynolds has asked the U.S. Treasury Department to reconsider its determination the state’s use of $21 million in coronavirus relief funds for a new computer system isn’t allowed under federal law. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General determined Oct. 16 the transfer of money from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund — filled with $1.25 billion in federal money — wasn’t allowable because the state already had planned the new computer system before the pandemic, and the upgrades were not necessary to address the public health emergency.