The Assembly Majority leadership has failed New Yorkers by letting important welfare fraud reform legislation, known as the Public Assistance Integrity Act, fall by the wayside. The federal government made it very clear: New York and other states are obligated to pass some form of welfare reform or risk losing $120 million in program funding. The Assembly Majority left session without addressing this important matter knowing the February 22 deadline, set by the federal government, is fast approaching. As there are no legislative days scheduled before that date, a special session should be called to pass this critical reform.

Reports have shown that public assistance cash benefits are being obtained by using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at ATMs located in adult entertainment establishments, casinos and liquor stores. This has become a national issue, as public dollars are being spent on cigarettes, alcohol, lottery tickets, strippers and gambling. Your public dollars are meant to help families in real need, not fund someone’s ‘good time.’

The misuse of public assistance dollars is draining our welfare system and must be stopped to protect families who need help the most. Reforming welfare is a fiscally- and morally-sound way to keep the program solvent for those who are trying to feed their families and get back on their feet.

The solution to this problem is the Public Assistance Integrity Act (A.2386), a bill which I sponsor. It would require more oversight on EBT cash withdrawals by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. It would also prohibit EBT cash withdrawals from ATMs located in the abovementioned establishments.

We were given a deadline to work with. The Senate passed the Public Assistance Integrity Act, but the Assembly Majority leadership let it fall by the wayside, knowing that there are no legislative days scheduled next week. There is no urgency on their part to do the right thing.

While we sat in session last week, we should have accomplished some meaningful work rather than applauding and patting the back of the Assembly Speaker who has failed New Yorkers day after day, year after year. As the federal deadline was approaching, the Assembly proceedings were stopped to applaud Speaker Silver for 20 years of ‘leadership.’

A special session should be called to pass welfare reform now and prevent our state from losing $120 million in important funding. New York owes it to taxpayers and those who truly need the assistance. Let’s send a message to the Speaker that the people’s work can’t wait any longer – sign the petition in support of the Public Assistance Integrity Act online at bit.ly/publicassistance.

I am always eager to hear your thoughts on public assistance reform or any other matter. Please call me at 493-3909 or email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us with any questions or comments.