Lehigh Valley Lawmakers Call for Fraud and Waste Cuts in Welfare Budget to Help Move Budget Impasse Forward
Citing recent audit reports of the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare that revealed problems with fraud, abuse and waste that have bloated Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare, Reps. Karen Beyer (R-Lehigh/Northampton) and Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks) are demanding action on legislation that will restore efficiency to the welfare system in Pennsylvania that, if made part of the budget process, could be an essential solution to the budget impasse.
“Representative Day and I are simply supporting legislation that addresses the inordinate amount of welfare waste and fraud brought to light recently by Auditor General Jack Wagner,” Beyer said. “Now more than ever, we must be effective stewards of taxpayer dollars, and streamlining the welfare system to ensure support for only those who are truly in need goes a long way toward achieving that goal.”
“Especially now, during these strained economic times, we need to be more vigilant than ever that every taxpayer dollar is being used prudently and correctly,” said Day. “The types of errors and misuse of funds recently outlined by the auditor general’s office is embarrassing and needs immediate correction. As lawmakers, we have control over the purse strings that can guide real reform within the department.”
House Bill 1856 calls for a welfare efficiency audit, and is currently before the House Health and Human Services Committee, to the floor for immediate consideration. The lawmakers called on House leaders to bring House Bill 1856 to the floor for a vote. The bill, which was crafted by the House Republican Policy Committee, would impose greater accountability on DPW to ensure that the department is using taxpayer dollars efficiently. Among other things, the bill would:
- Require DPW to submit information on its plans and operations to the State Treasurer’s office and post them on the Internet.
- Provide for a comprehensive audit of DPW which includes provider and recipient sampling to identify fraudulent actions in the department.
- Establish a computerized Income Eligibility Verification System to ensure that applicants are eligible for the benefits they are claiming.
- Eliminate special allowances, except for fees or dues that are conditional on gaining employment, for welfare recipients including special payments for the purchase or repair of a vehicle, purchase of tools, etc.
The representatives urged House leaders to bring the bill to the floor for a vote as soon as the legislative session resumes.
Rep. Karen D. Beyer
131st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
717-783-1673
Contact: Scott B. Little
(717) 260-6137
Rep. Gary Day
187th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(717) 787-3017
Contact: Todd Abele
(717) 783-3957