Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C-East Aurora), a staunch supporter of welfare reform, said today that if the Assembly fails to act on welfare reform by the federal government’s February deadline, the state stands to lose $125 million in funding. The reforms would ensure that federal assistance cannot be accessed in liquor stores, adult entertainment facilities, or used to purchase cigarettes.

“These reforms already should be law,” DiPietro said. “We cannot allow for funds designed to go toward housing, food, and getting struggling families temporarily back on their feet to go to strip clubs, alcohol, and cigarettes. If we fail to pass a clean reform of the welfare system to get it up to federal standards, we will lose $125 million in federal welfare funding. For the Assembly Majority to be playing politics in regard to federal welfare reform is careless and endangers our state’s economic viability moving forward.”

Last year, the State Senate passed the welfare reform bill as requested by the federal government. The Assembly counterpart, Assembly Bill A. 2386, was not acted upon by the Assembly Majority last year. To sign the petition in favor of the Public Assistance Integrity Act click here.

DiPietro is also the author of Assembly Bill 6146, which would require the drug-testing of welfare recipients, and Assembly Bill 5901, which establishes a one-year residency requirement for those seeking to use the state’s Medicaid program.

For more information regarding Assemblyman David DiPietro, please contact his district office at 716-655-0951, or via email at dipietrod@assembly.state.ny.us. Like the assemblyman on Facebook as Assemblyman David DiPietro.