New York – With a federal deadline of February 2014 for individual states to pass welfare reform looming, the push is on around the state to pass a stalled bill that would ban EBT users from spending funds on liquor, cigarettes, and adult entertainment.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
THE NEW YORK POST (http://bit.ly/IUzVOq) reports that State senators, including Jack Martins (R-Nassau County), Mike Ranzenhofer (R-Amherst), and Michael Nozzolio (R-Seneca Falls) have collected signatures totaling in the thousands over the past couple weeks in an effort to persuade lawmakers to pass the Public Assistance Integrity Act which is currently stalled in the Assembly.
The bill, which has twice passed the Senate, has been shelved by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver who says he’d prefer to see the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance submit new regulations.
New York risks losing some $125M in federal money if it fails to meet the February 2014 deadline.
The bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island) said he’s been given assurances that the bill can be passed administratively.
“We know we’re up against a deadline in order to adhere to the federal guidelines,” Cusick said. “I have assurances that it’s being done.”
This is no brainer people!!!! It’s welfare not smoke and drink as much as you want bc the tab is on us bill!!!!!
The bill does not go far enough. I think that EBT should be used only for uncooked raw ingredients. If people had to actually cook / prepare food, they might eat healthier foods. Perhaps it would lower obesity rates among the poor. In the US, the poor are FAT not emaciated.
Here are guys who refuse to answer subpoenas about corruption trying to pass an “integrity” act for those on public assistance. Clean up your own act first. Regarding the sentiment of the legislation, bar codes should tell you what kind of “food” is being bought and exclude that which is unacceptable. Of course, some retailers don’t have any integrity.
only cigarettes and liquor? but they can still trade for big screen TV’s and get free phones, right? my wife, son and I are happy to have 5 jobs amongst us and happy to have the government force us to give up some of our hard-earned $ so free loaders can get free cigarettes and get wasted. I mean, let’s be fair to them.
We unfortunately at this time are recipients of food stamps benefits, It never crossed my mind to by alcohol with fs and my family member who smoked had to stop not bc he was ready to quit just because we couldn’t afford it. Its ridiculous that there should even haveto be a law against it, pp should be grateful they get help and should just use it wisely on bear necessities.
i too have been on food stamps & have never even thought to purchase alchohol or cigarettes with it. when i purchase certain food items (such as a cooked food like cold cuts or seltzer) i am questioned about it but it is a food item. i think they should ban stuff like candy & gum & chocolates from food stamps which can make people fat. #2 mentioned about raw foods. YOU try only cooking with raw foods!! the reason lower income people are heavier is bec the cheaper ffoods are not healthy such as pasta & white bread. if the gov’t were to make healthier food more affordable then you will see people eating it more
You already can’t buy liquor or cigarettes with food stamps. I think you’re all confused because you get your food stamps with your EBT card but there is also a ‘cash’ portion for some families and that is supposed to be used to purchase non-food items such as soap, foothpaste, toilet paper, etc., and pay some bills such as telephone, electricity, etc.