Contact: Emily Palumbos, (315) 781-2030
The State Senate recently passed the "Public Assistance Integrity Act," a measure that will curtail rampant fraud and abuse in the state welfare system and protect taxpayer dollars - goals that all New Yorkers should applaud. But inexplicably, not everyone in Albany is cheering.
MAJORITY INACTION A DISTURBING TREND FOR NEW YORKERS
The Majority leadership in the State Assembly refused to bring the Public Assistance Integrity Act to the floor for a vote. In doing so, they have allowed an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars to continue and have missed a federal requirement that could cost New York State more than $120 million in federal assistance.
The bill (A02386/S00966), sponsored by Senator Thomas Libous, prevents welfare benefits from being used in venues where public assistance money has no place - liquor stores, casinos and strip clubs. It also prohibits welfare dollars from being used to buy tobacco or alcohol. The Senate has passed it for three straight years. In the Assembly, the measure has Majority sponsorship and bipartisan support, with nearly 40 Assembly members signed onto the bill. But the proposed legislation has lingered since June of 2012.
The Assembly Majority's blatant disregard for taxpayer dollars threatens more than $120 million in federal money from the Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) program. Their failure is two-fold; a lack of reform and loss of much needed federal aid.
The state will miss the February 22 deadline to demonstrate steps to prevent the kind of behavior addressed in the Public Assistance Integrity Act.
In his Executive Budget proposal, the Governor included reform measures that could potentially bring the state into compliance, but those initiatives do not go far enough, nor do they excuse the Assembly Majority from doing their jobs. Further, it makes little sense to propose legislation that traditionally will not get passed for months from now, when federal funding is on the line now.
NEW YORKERS DESERVE BETTER THAN WHAT THEY ARE GETTING
The benefits of public assistance are immeasurable. It is important that we provide needed resources for struggling families and individuals, give people temporary relief until they are able to get back on their feet, and allow people to purchase everyday necessities like food, diapers and medicine.
But in too many cases, taxpayers are subsidizing the entertainment whims and vices of individuals abusing the system. The barefaced misuse of the welfare program is an affront to those who rely on public assistance for their basic needs, and insults the taxpayers whose money is being wasted on liquor, lottery tickets and lap dances.
This kind of behavior has gone unchecked for far too long, and the Assembly Majority's failure to act is as alarming as it is irresponsible.
Senator Libous was right to chastise the Assembly for dragging its feet. While most of our Chamber stands ready to pass the Public Assistance Integrity Act, the Assembly's Majority leadership has once again put their own political priorities ahead of the hard-working people they represent.
What do you think? I want to hear from you. Send me your feedback, suggestions and ideas regarding this or any other issue facing New York State. You can always contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or email me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.