Posted on 07/09/2012 5:55:31 AM PDT by massmike
Gov. Deval Patrick’s failure to fully embrace the Legislature’s EBT reforms has reignited the debate over the fraud-ravaged welfare benefits card system — raising criticism he’s leaving loopholes open to allow the purchase of controversial goods with taxpayers’ money.
In a veto statement yesterday, Patrick slammed his reform-intent rivals for “political grandstanding” with their efforts to ban EBT buys of guns, porn, tattoos, jewelry and manicures, insisting reforms were already on track without the Legislature’s meddling. That drew return fire from irate lawmakers.
“A lot of people in the Legislature, and a lot of taxpayers for that matter, believe there are a lot of problems with our EBT system,” said state Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth). “Some of us have worked hard to try to address those problems. Some of us actually take our jobs seriously, and to be accused of political grandstanding, I think it’s irresponsible and immature of the governor to speak that way.”
While signing the state’s $32.5 billion budget yesterday, Patrick rejected an outside section containing the welfare benefits card reforms that had been hammered out with bi-partisan support in the House and Senate — an effort spearheaded by House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop).
DeLeo yesterday declined to comment. But one suspicious GOP leader accused Patrick of dragging out the process in hopes of killing their reforms.
“He’s accusing us of political grandstanding,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-N. Reading). “Well, I think he’s pandering to a political clientele who are in support of him and he wants to maintain that support. ... It would seem to indicate to me this isn’t something he wants to go forward.”
State Rep. Shaunna O’Connell (R-Taunton) said, “These benefits are for the necessities of life. Not for jewelry, not for manicures, not to get a makeover.”
(Excerpt) Read more at bostonherald.com ...
Homie lookin’ after homies. Just that simple.
Dirtbag.
Over ride his veto.
May one ask a simple question? Thank you.
DID ANYONE EXPECT ANYTHING ELSE...REALLY?
Howie-related ping. Do you think that the veto will be overridden?
Welfare for guns, porn, tattoos and manicures. Whadda country!
I demand the homeys take the lobster!~
Well, a ‘poor woman’ who goes to job interviews won’t stay lipstick poor for very long...will she, Ruth?
lol at the idea of someone in this country being so poor they can’t afford a dollar tube of lipstick.
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