House defies Gov. Patrick, reinstates restrictions on welfare recipients’ spending
House lawmakers defied Governor Deval Patrick today and voted overwhelmingly to reinstate a measure that prevents welfare recipients from spending their benefits on alcohol, lottery tickets, tobacco, and other items.
Patrick had sent the measures back to the Legislature on Sunday, seeking changes and accusing lawmakers of “political grandstanding’’ on a hot-button issue.
House members, some of whom were incensed by the governor’s comments, rejected Patrick’s changes today and approved the measure he had rejected, which would forbid welfare recipients from using Electronic Benefit Transfer cards to buy pornography, jewelry, and tattoos, and other items.
The measure has gained momentum in the Legislature following the high-profile arrests of several welfare recipients accused of fraud and reports of some recipients using their benefits for items other than basic staples.
Patrick, who grew up on welfare and has been a vocal defender of the system, sent the measure back to the Legislature on Sunday, seeking several changes and declaring, “I’m not going to do anything that makes vulnerable people beg for their benefits.’’ At the same time, he said he would be willing to sign a companion bill that would ban liquor stores, casinos, strip clubs, gun shops, and cruise ships from accepting the cards.
House lawmakers today rejected Patrick’s changes by a vote of 152-1. The lone member to side with the governor was Representative Charley Murphy, a Burlington Democrat who has often tangled with House leaders and who plans to resign from the House next month.
Representative Carl M. Sciortino, a Somerville Democrat, was the only House member to debate the welfare bill on the floor. He said he supported the crackdown but did so with an “uneasy conscience.’’
Sciortino said he wished lawmakers would focus on ways to lift welfare recipients out of poverty “rather than create barriers for people who are trying to survive and take care of their children.’’
He also said the punishment for recipients who violate the ban and purchase any of the forbidden items was unduly harsh. A first offense would result in a $600 fine, a second offense in a $1,200 fine, and a third offense in the loss of benefits, he said.
The Senate must approve the House measure before it would be sent back to the governor, who would have a chance to veto it and send it back to the Legislature again.
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