In case you missed it, the state House Republicans announced the other day that they are introducing a package of bills to crack down on abuse of Bridge Cards, which are the high-tech equivalent of food stamps.
The legislation was sparked by news reports that a big-time lottery winner was still using his Bridge Card account.
Buried in the penultimate sentence of the GOP news release was this: House and Senate Republicans are working to “prevent high-dollar lottery winners from receiving public assistance. House members also have asked the (Department of Human Services) to review the asset-limit policies to prevent millionaires from receiving assistance.
What? We need urgent legislation for this? Has no one in the Capitol ever considered that we should prevent millionaires and Lotto jackpot winners from qualifying for public assistance? What took so long?
State Rep. Dave Agema, R-Grandville, said: “There has been rampant fraud and abuse in the welfare system, and this package implements much-needed reforms into state law.These bills lay the foundation for an improved system that protects well-being of the truly needy in Michigan.”
It seems to me these “reforms,” these safeguards, should have been put into place about 30 years ago. One legislator said the legislative package would “encourage accountability and responsibility.” Better late than never.
According to the release: “The bill package includes statutory requirements that the Michigan Department of Human Services prevent the withdrawal of cash assistance at ATM casinos, remove prisoners from Bridge Card recipient lists, and add a user’s photo identification and signature to their card. The legislation would also allow DHS to work with the Michigan State Police to identify and remove recipients that have outstanding arrest warrants.
“The package also will enact other changes to encourage greater accountability on behalf of Bridge Card recipients, including a prohibition against the modification of a Bridge Card by a user and a requirement that the recipient compensate DHS for the cost of a lost or stolen card. The House measures also include resolutions calling on the federal government to require more nutritious options for food assistance (food police?) and allow Michigan to operate its own system with a block grant.
Among the lead sponsors of these bills is Rep. Anthony Forlini, the former Harrison Township supervisor.
Forlini said: “Bridge Card users should be expected to follow real guidelines when relying on state assistance. They should be willing to produce a valid card issued specifically for their use. Vendors and administrators should be able to readily identify a standard Bridge Card the moment they see it.”
