Assemblyman Andy Goodell (R,C,I-Chautauqua) today called on the Assembly Majority to follow the Senate’s lead and take up the Public Assistance Integrity Act (A.2386). This legislation would help stop the abuse of public assistance by prohibiting welfare recipients from using cash assistance to purchase tobacco, alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets or to gamble.

“Public assistance programs are intended to help families who are down on their luck to provide care for their children, promote job preparation and achieve self-sufficiency,” said Goodell. “When these funds are misused and abused, the public faith in the system is violated and our trust is broken. This legislation would protect against cases of benefit abuse, which have been documented across the state.”

The legislation was drafted in response to a federal law signed by President Barack Obama in 2012, which requires states to maintain policies and practices to prevent public assistance provided through federal programs from being used in any electronic benefit transfer transaction in liquor stores or casinos.

“In my opinion, New York needs to give a hand up, not a hand out. We already offer much higher welfare benefits than any nearby states. We cannot afford to become the welfare capital of the world,” concluded Goodell.

Goodell is co-sponsoring the Assembly version of the “Public Assistance Integrity Act.” Senator Cathy Young is co-sponsoring the companion bill, which is scheduled to be voted on in the Senate tomorrow.