“After a cursory glance at the report furnished by State Auditor Suzanne Bump, I continue to be extremely frustrated with the glaring inefficiencies and abuses within the welfare program managed by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). Contrary to previous assertions by Governor Patrick, 1,000 deceased individuals collecting taxpayer funded benefits is more than anecdotal.
The current changes being implemented to reform the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program will not suffice. The Auditor’s recent findings should again serve as a catalyst to institute meaningful reforms within the program.
At a time when taxpayers are being asked to pay billions of dollars more a year in increased taxes, they are faced with the reality that tens of millions of dollars of their hard earned money is being paid out to individuals who are fraudulently obtaining government assistance. The sound bites and empty promises from the Patrick Administration have to stop – the taxpayers deserve better.”
