Welfare reform has been a priority for Gov. Paul LePage since he took office, and the issue has recently been revived with a flurry of bills and debate.
In Maine, welfare comes in the form of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the cash benefits can be used via an EBT card, which functions much like a debit card. About 7,500 families are using the program.
It’s hard to tell if abuse of the program is widespread, since the issue has become so politicized, but the administration has reported instances of welfare benefits being used at Disney World resorts, Las Vegas casinos and New Hampshire liquor stores.
Even if such instances have happened only once, it’s not right. No matter what one’s political leanings, we can all agree that public money intended to be used for food and clothing should not be used on recreation, liquor, tobacco or gambling. It’s not only a misuse of taxpayer money, but it takes away from meeting the real needs of the children whose parents are on the program.
Public assistance is intended for people who are in dire need of a helping hand for the necessities of life due to a financial setback or inability to work, not for those who choose not to work and would simply rather live off the public dole.
Currently, EBT benefits cannot be used at liquor stores, strip clubs and casinos, per state law. LePage’s LD 1822, sponsored by local Rep. Sharri MacDonald, R-Old Orchard Beach, would have prohibited the use of EBT cards to purchase tobacco, alcohol, lottery tickets and to make bail payments.
Unfortunately, this common-sense bill failed last week due to legislators’ inability to agree on the extent of penalties for offenders. This bill took a hard line, proposing a first offense penalty of one year without benefits. The Senate proposed to eliminate that penalty and instead give a warning and education. While the one-year penalty is too harsh and would only force these people to lean on local charities, the warning swings too far the other way. There must be negative consequences when a public program is abused, even if it is through ignorance.
We would have liked to see MacDonald’s compromise amendment debated, which proposed a shorter, 15-day suspension of benefits for first-time offenders. Democrats refused to hear the amendment, however, and news reports show that the two parties remain sharply divided along ideological lines regarding welfare.
The devil is always in the details, but we are disappointed to see that our representatives could not even find a compromise on something as universally off-putting as the blatant abuse of welfare money. With all the budget struggles the state is facing, there is no excuse for allowing public money to be used inappropriately, in any program, and LePage is right to try and tighten up the regulations.
Despite the politicking, some progress has been made on reform, with the House voting to expand current law to include smoke shops as a banned use.
Meanwhile, one issue that has arisen is the use of EBT cards out of state, with one bill proposing to prohibit such use.
The House is backing a bill, which LePage has said he will veto, to study the use of EBT cards out of state. That’s an effort ”“ and an expense ”“ that we don’t believe is necessary. The issue is not whether or not, or how much, it is currently happening, but rather, do we want to allow it?
If the Legislature does choose to ban EBT use out of state, we’d urge them to exempt the neighboring state of New Hampshire, since Mainers who live near the border often do their shopping there because it is closer. Otherwise, it seems to make perfect sense that groceries, clothing and other necessity items would be purchased in-state.
Another interesting point brought up by Democrats is that the restrictions would not be enforceable because people can use the EBT cards to withdraw cash from an ATM and use it for any purpose. This aspect of the program, we believe, definitely needs to be addressed. These cards should not function like other debit cards, giving out the benefits in cash. The technology now exists to track use of these funds and combat abuse, making these cards debit only and accepted only for approved purchases. If a study is going to be conducted, it should be on how to shore up this program so the benefits simply cannot be used for inappropriate purchases.
Moving people out of poverty is a complex and ongoing concern for all of humanity, but unlike some food pantries that are willing to accept clients without evidence of need, taxpayer-funded programs must be held accountable. People who work every day want to know that the taxes taken out of their hard-earned paycheck for public assistance are being used to meet the basic needs of Mainers who are down on their luck ”“ not to buy someone cigarettes and lottery tickets while they sit at home.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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