Representative Keiko Orrall Appears on FOX-25 News

In case you missed it, Representative Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville) made an appearance on the FOX-25 Morning Show to discuss the waste, fraud and abuse within the taxpayer-funded transitional assistance program.

Representative Orrall was on hand to give an impassioned plea for common-sense, substantive EBT reform. The interview comes on the heels of a bi-partisan letter which was sent to the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Conference Committee. In the letter, 39 State Representatives and Senators urged the Committee to strike out the five letter word in the House engrossed budget which stands between the Commonwealth and meaningful welfare reforms: STUDY.

To view the entire segment play the video posted below.

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69th Anniversary of D-Day

On this, the 69th anniversary of the Allied forces storming the beaches of Normandy, we wish to remember all of the brave soldiers who lost their lives fighting to ensure the freedoms of others.

June 6, 1944 is a day that will not soon be forgotten. The military engagement that occurred on this day has long been considered the turning point of World War II in the European theater. Soon after the landing in Normandy, troops left France and continued on through Europe and into Germany. The United States military liberated millions while toppling the Nazi regime. Currently, there are more veterans of the historic D-Day invasion than any other engagement in WWII.

Today, and every other day, we wish to remember the sacrifices and the commitment of the men and women who have served, and continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Public Housing Restrictions for Undocumented Aliens

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the House of Representatives’ placement of restrictions on public housing for undocumented aliens:

“By prohibiting individuals who do not qualify for federally subsidized housing from displacing duly qualified persons on Massachusetts housing waiting lists, the Legislature has taken a necessary step in the prioritization of taxpayer-funded benefits.

The amendment passed today by the House of Representative recognizes that there continues to be a limited amount of public housing in the Commonwealth, and ensures that those vital resources will be available for those who have played by the rules and have demonstrated a need for public assistance.”

House and Senate Legislators Issue Letter Regarding Welfare Reform

Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester), a bi-partisan group of House and Senate legislators submitted a letter Monday to the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Conference Committee, asking them to strike out the five letter word in the House engrossed budget which stands between the Commonwealth and meaningful welfare reforms: STUDY.

The letter to the Conference Committee comes on the heels of an explosive report by State Auditor Suzanne Bump, in which it was revealed that millions of dollars was spent on the distribution of taxpayer funded welfare benefits to deceased recipients and duplicate dependents.

“Members of the Fiscal Year Budget Conference Committee have two options,” said Representative Brad Jones. “They can either choose to remove two unnecessary welfare reform studies from the state budget, thus protecting the Commonwealth’s hardworking taxpayers and ensuring welfare benefits are reserved for the state’s neediest residents, or they can further delay substantive and comprehensive reform to the state’s EBT system by choosing to further study this issue. The ball is in their court.”

Garnering the support of legislators from both Chambers, the letter respectfully requests that “that the Conference Committee cast aside political gamesmanship in exchange for the progress needed to ensure, once and for all, that Massachusetts’ welfare benefits are reserved for those who are truly eligible and in need of our assistance.”

The letter goes on to say that Senate Republicans, as well as several Senate Democrats, argued for the inclusion substantial and reasonable eligibility reforms and public assistance abuse prevention provisions of in their version of the state budget, but were defeated.

“In the face of ever increasing evidence that welfare dollars are consumed through waste and fraud rather than going to people who truly need them, the conferees should waste no time in approving practical measures that will help to rebuild and restore the integrity of a multi-billion dollar welfare system,” said Senator Tarr. “The option to act in defense of taxpayers and legitimate recipients is on the table, and they should take it.”

  Some of the other targeted reforms that the legislators would like to see included in the final version of the state budget, which will be sent to Governor Patrick for his approval, include:

(1) the expedited establishment and integration of EOHHS’ Integrated Eligibility System (IES) with the Department of Transitional Assistance;

(2) the requirement that the IES cross-check Social Security Numbers (SSNs), at the point of application, with a minimum of 9 specific state and federal databases and 20 additional optional databases, to the extent that they are available;

(3) the prohibition of the use of numerical identifiers as placeholders for SSNs for periods in excess of 3 months;

(4) the immediate phase-in of photo ID on EBT cards for cardholders over the age of 18, beginning 6 months following the passage of the bill;

(5) the prohibition of out of state EBT card use except in states contiguous to Massachusetts;

(6) the increase of the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions, as recommended by the most recent Cashless Commission;

(7) the prohibition of the use of self-declarations as verification of applicant eligibility; and

(8) the phase-in of the implementation of an online payment system for rent and utility payments that would provide recipients with more flexibility to pay bills and an added resource to budget benefits, while providing the Commonwealth with greater oversight over the use of cash assistance.

The Conference Committee will begin their deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2014 state budget later this week.

EBTLetter to CC

House Minority Leader’s Statement on State Auditor’s Report Revealing 1,000 Dead People Collecting Welfare Benefits

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to State Auditor Suzanne Bump’s audit which found countless examples of misuse of taxpayer funded welfare benefits:

“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.”

Memorial Day 2013

George Orwell once said, “we sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.”

As Massachusetts and the nation observe Memorial Day, we pause to honor the many brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Throughout our nation's proud history, many have answered the call to serve, and many more continue to place themselves in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today, we honor all of our veterans for their service to our country, and for the sacrifices they have made to preserve the many freedoms we all too often take for granted.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Resignation of State Representative John Fresolo

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the resignation of State Representative John Fresolo (D-Worcester) in the wake of an ongoing investigation by the House Committee on Ethics:

“The necessary but overdue resignation of Representative Fresolo is an appropriate course of action given the circumstances. The residents of the Sixteenth Worcester District and the taxpayers of Massachusetts deserve representatives and a governing body that is held to the highest ethical standard.

Furthermore, the House Committee on Ethics should forward any information or findings from their investigation to the appropriate agencies and entities for further consideration.”

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Resignation of Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the resignation of Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray:

“On a personal level, I wish Lieutenant Governor Murray the best in his new endeavors at the helm of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

However, on a political level, Lieutenant Governor Murray departs the public sector with a number of unanswered questions regarding his involvement in numerous scandals. His direct connection to improper hiring practices and midnight car rides leave far more questions upon his departure than answers.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to seeing if pro-business Murray still endorses the $2 billion tax hike pushed by loyal Lieutenant Governor Murray. Demanding more money from businesses and taxpayers looks a lot different from the outside than it does when you are in the comfortable confines of the Executive Office.”

House Republicans to Offer Resolution Condemning Actions of Internal Revenue Service

Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), the House Republican Caucus will offer a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning the actions of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in regards to their investigation of non-profit groups with certain political affiliations.

Offered in response to increased scrutiny incurred by the IRS in light of its admission to “overzealous audits” of applications for tax exempt status by groups with certain political affiliations, the House Republican Caucus feels that the actions of the IRS have drawn the ire of both the groups targeted as well as taxpayers nationwide.

“On face, the actions of the Internal Revenue Service represent a massive betrayal of public trust,” said Representative Jones. “By initiating a thorough investigation into these wrongdoings, a determination will be made as to whether or not this was the actions of a few, or the result of a widespread systematic failure.”

The resolution, which will be offered in the House of Representatives during the next full formal session, requests that the Massachusetts Congressional delegation initiate and support the formation of a select committee – comprised of elected officials from both political parties – to swiftly, thoroughly, and expeditiously investigate the alleged wrongdoings by the IRS.

A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Clerk of the United States Senate, and each member of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation.

Legislators Issue Letter to Governor Patrick Regarding 9C Cuts

Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) and Representative Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville), a bi-partisan group of legislators submitted a letter Thursday to Governor Patrick, asking him to reverse the 9C cuts that were made to accounts affecting local aid. Rendered last December for Fiscal Year 2013, the legislators feel that the cuts have negatively impacted communities across the Commonwealth.

“In light of continued strong revenue collections, restoring these local aid funds cut by the Governor is both fiscally responsible and justified,” said Representative Jones. “The funds outlined in our letter to Governor Patrick are essential for cities and towns across the Commonwealth.”

The letter to the Governor, which is supported by both House Democrats and Republicans, emphasizes that “communities across Massachusetts are counting on funding so that they may provide necessary services to our constituents.” The correspondence notes that while 9C cuts are within the Governor’s authority, the Legislature worked diligently in providing Governor Patrick with a compromise of funding necessary in order for local programs and agencies to operate at an efficient and effective level.

“When first faced with the reality of 9C cuts, which would have a negative impact on our communities and constituents, the House and Senate worked diligently and provided Governor Patrick with a compromise of priorities,” said Representative D’Emilia. “Now, with the state’s finances having well exceeded benchmarks, local aid should be restored before any other monies are spent by the Governor.”

Citing Year-to-Date tax revenue collections through April being $510 million above revised benchmark, the letter to the Governor goes on to say, “With this incredible turnaround in revenues, now is the time to restore the cuts which so negatively impacted our communities.”

"With revenue coming into the state at a higher level than predicted, it is clear that the 9C cuts should be restored," said Representative Orrall. "Ensuring predictable funding is a priority and we are advocating for our municipalities to receive all promised state funding. We will continue to focus on increasing aid to our communities for vital services and will stand against any unnecessary cuts."

Some of the accounts that the group of legislators is seeking to restore funding to include: Veterans’ Benefits; Transportation for Regional School Districts; Reimbursement for Special Education; Charter School Reimbursements; and Department of Correction.

Letter to Governor Regarding 9C Cuts