Legislative Update: Budget Hearings Across the State

I hope this edition of our monthly update finds you and your family well. As many of you, I look forward to the warm weather that is starting to move into the region. As the season changes, so does the Legislative agenda here at the State House. The Fiscal Year 2013 budget debate is starting and the House Committee of Ways and Means, on which I serve as a member, has been traveling the state and conducting regional hearings to discuss the formulation of the budget.

I am pleased to report that Speaker Robert DeLeo and House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey have committed to putting together a budget that has no new taxes or fees, and will move money into our stabilization account, which has led to Massachusetts having its highest ever bonding rating. While we can be proud of holding the line on taxes and bring Massachusetts into strong financial standing, the Legislature still faces a lot of challenges in the budget. However, I strongly believe that working together we can address these challenges, end abuses, close loopholes, and make sure that Massachusetts is best positioned for a strong climb out of the recession.

A few areas that I raised my concerns with during these regional hearings are as follows:

Department of Transitional Assistance (Fitchburg hearing)

In recent editions of our monthly update, I have commented on Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, or “EBT”cards and the abuses that have been found by those receiving transitional assistance benefits. These benefits need to have strict oversight to make sure that those who really need them have access and that they are used for their stated purpose; as “transitional” assistance. These benefits are to help those who have fallen on hard times to transition into a job, housing, etc. However, some have abused the system and have used these benefits as permanent assistance, draining the system and making it hard for those actually in need to receive assistance.

I had the honor of serving as House Chair for the regional hearing in Fitchburg. I asked the Commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance to explain what the department is doing to create a more efficient and strict process of preventing and thwarting abuses of the EBT system. After doing lengthy research into transitional assistance benefits and how they are accessed, I was astonished to discover that 68% of those funds are accessible via ATM in the form of cash. The explanation I received from the Commissioner was less than sufficient, and I formally requested a meeting with the Commissioner to discuss ways in which we can address the abuses and eliminate them from the EBT system. The Legislature is also expected the much anticipated release of the EBT Reform Commission’s recommendations on ending abuses of the system.

Department of Labor and Workforce Development (Methuen hearing)

Many of you may have been reading the Herald’s recent report of abuses of the unemployment system in Massachusetts. I am outraged that the system allowed for this to happen. There will always be those who develop ways in which to game or beat the system. However, it’s the responsibility of the Legislature to put an end to these abuses. Examples of these abuses were outlined in a recent Herald article titled “Governor Patrick moves to fix unemployment loophole” include a “disgraced Mashpee cop who collected while facing a drug-dealing rap, a police chief who resigned and filed for jobless pay, and a DPW driver who collected after being fired for failure to have his commercial driver’s license reinstated after an OUI charge.”These abuses have to stop. While I commend Governor Patrick for filing legislation to address these issues, I strongly believe we need a stronger bill that addresses each and every case of abuse. No public employee, or any employee for that matter, should be allowed to claim unemployment if their claim is an attempt to abuse the system. I have asked that Secretary Joanne Goldstein review and reform the Unemployment Insurance Board so that these obvious abuses are not allowed to be approved again.

These two situations are prime examples of the lack of common sense in government. People need to have confidence that the programs for the less fortunate are being run efficiently and benefiting those who are less fortunate, not those taking advantage of the system.

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A satirical look at some legislation filed this legislative session in honor of April Fools.