New face of Welfare abuse?

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Say -- this is worse than getting out of jail free and drug suspect in Massachusetts.

May have posted bail.

On the taxpayer's dime he used his one phone call to send a friend to the ATM.

With his welfare card.

Asking him to cash it out.

And set him free joining us now -- Massachusetts state representative Sean O'Connell who's trying to put a stop.

To practice is like this good -- represented McConnell how -- you.

Good morning great thanks so my understanding of this is that this -- the defendant the convicted drug dealer got on the phone and said to his friend.

Go get my electronic benefits transfer card might EBT card my welfare card.

And go get me money so I can post bail.

Is that true.

That is true and the police officer heard that and felt so strongly about he actually wrote it in his report so that we would know about half -- And the reason that can happen is because the state of Massachusetts hands out 450.

Million dollars a year and cash assistance to people.

That they can go to an ATM and take out all of their cash assistance so if you get 500 dollars a month in cash.

Assistance you can go to the ATM and take out 500 dollars a month and we do not know how you're spending it so virtually these have become ATM cards and not -- cards.

Now what can be done to stop that whereas the governor of Massachusetts on this issue.

And what other forms of abuse can take place I read something.

Can I -- on a cruise with this card.

Pretty much do anything with this card right now there are no restrictions on -- -- you can use it at any store you can use it -- a nail salon a tattoo parlor.

And the point is that the cars you can get cash you can just take the cash and go buy anything you want so what I've done is filed a bill that says.

No more cash access.

And that's the only way that we are gonna stop the problem of abuse.

Is the governor behind this -- -- seem so much like common sense.

This -- affected taxpayers we have to finance someone's crime spree or there and if in fact this person is guilty of such a crime.

Or -- -- to be free on bail.

Pending the disposition of the charges where's the governor on this.

Unfortunately the governor is not supportive of the reforms that I've put forward in my ago.

And it's really unfortunate because we need to reform this program to restore integrity to the program to protect taxpayer dollars.

And how we're hearing from the governor's office are really -- kind of -- anecdotal one liner talking points.

And nothing substantive so they're standing in the way of reform rather than backing it up and this is a bipartisan bill that -- filed I have a lot of support and -- on my -- And present it was so happy here in terms reform and substance come back to us tell us the real story is our listeners and viewers wanna know about this will be talking glad to have.

Good to see represented thanks keep it up thank you were.

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New face of Welfare abuse?

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