Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today joined with a number of his colleagues in the State Assembly and the State Senate in calling for passage of the Public Assistance Integrity Act (A2386) to strengthen protection of taxpayer dollars used in public assistance programs. The bill would prohibit welfare recipients from using taxpayer-funded electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to purchase tobacco and alcohol products. Additionally, the bill would preclude beneficiaries of public assistance from spending taxpayer dollars at liquor stores, casinos and strip clubs.

“The Public Assistance Integrity Act will help ensure that public assistance funds are there for the citizens truly in need: families and individuals who have fallen on hard times and need some help making ends meet. We cannot promote welfare as a lifestyle, and we certainly cannot condone the expenditure of taxpayer dollars in casinos, strip clubs and liquor stores,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano, a co-sponsor of the bill in the Assembly, noted that the State Senate moved to pass the bill today to comply with recent federal laws. Nearly a dozen other states have passed similar measures. In February 2012, federal laws were enacted that restrict how the cash portion of social services is spent - or face losing five percent of their Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Funding. If the Assembly Majority does not allow a vote on this bill, New York State runs the risk of losing upwards of $120 million in federal aid money.