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State Rep. Cameron Henry, (R-La), on efforts to prevent the use of welfare money at places such as liquor stores and casinos.
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Like he -- your tax dollars here at money -- our attention when we heard lawmakers saying that welfare box are being spent on alcohol cigarettes strip clubs.
Even gambling.
Well there is supposed to be for non food necessities that's the definition but it's what it's gonna -- -- and 24 states are now saying enough.
Joining me now is Louisiana -- it's Cameron Henry.
So much for joining us what do you plan to do about.
Thank you for -- analysts.
Well we just finished a legislative session -- introduced a house bill 95 we should prohibit the use of welfare money which is like tap.
At strip clubs gambling establishments.
And liquor stores.
Unfortunately the legislation didn't didn't fare well once -- got to the Senate Finance Committee because the cost they -- of 4000 dollars was too expensive to implement the program.
We don't you let me stop you right there why -- -- -- 400000 dollars because my understanding of -- -- looking into the saw afternoon.
04 point four million people get the cash ranging from.
200 to a thousand dollars a month.
They're basically given though you know debit cards that they can go any -- could gait cash and that people -- turn -- into cash.
Many do whatever you want with it so what did you do for 400000 dollars to stop them in their tracks.
Well who would that was a cost that statistic company that has the contract ACS has a contract to monitor this program for the state Louisiana.
And they -- -- they gave -- -- -- is in the cost 191000 dollars to monitor the implementation my legislation.
-- we went a little bit further in Louisiana we prohibited ATM transactions.
As well as the parts of tobacco products as well.
Is this what we little bit from the federal legislation as a thought their fuel gas and and that we needed to address if we were able to.
It's unfortunate that doing a session that we didn't have the opportunity get ACS in front of us and explain why was -- -- cost 191000 dollars a month.
To -- program.
But will will.
We -- I understand exactly how that would work because you're saying that you would stop people from using these cards that ATMs is that cracked.
Correct and let's stop -- -- you -- him at specific it you know places like I don't know strip clubs something like that.
Correct strip -- liquor store to purchase any liquor as a matter of fact.
And any any gaming establishment evening of -- and that's that's defined and how and -- state constitutions gaming gimmicks and bingo halls racetracks casinos so forth.
Okay but hey look it's still trading Helena somebody else for cash right who could then go use it that Grammy what's left -- music -- not food.
So you could use it to do whatever else you know buys sundry and what what.
-- -- If if you wanted to pay your electricity bill if you need to pay your contract remember this is a there's a program to design help you get back on -- feet once you've hit rock bottom Muni had some some financial issues you're trying to work -- way back up.
To help you cover those costs that are essential for -- -- continuing to get back in the job market is a goal.
That was -- the purpose of of the program my understanding and the fact that we allow people.
In Louisiana there are no restrictions whatsoever you can use it for anything you'd like -- none whatsoever which.
I felt was atrocious is while filed legislation -- -- -- need a problem is though that you can't really monitor how people use the welfare program and it just need to be smaller because that it would be easier to police.
And maybe you'd hit only the people who really need it.
But I think about.
Well I I definitely agree with you -- -- if we even if we ran it like the snap program which is food stamps food stamps.
Though though it's there's there's issues with that as well we should not do you prohibited from buying clothes and any items not related specifically to food items.
If we just could put some of those implement some of those implement the same facts the fight -- I think would be better off but I mean we've grown and grown and grown in the number of people that are dependent on -- -- and snap which you food stamps.
That it's become almost impossible to monitor and that's when companies come on give -- outrageous numbers that how much dispute if that's -- they tell me cost two to monitor the program.
Well and -- I had a chance to actually get together on all of them what's your plan to give premier what is your plan now that this was you said that you just lost this attack what are you gonna do next.
Well we're gonna bring it back up -- and a session but specifically I'm gonna go after governor asked to some more quotes on a chase is a company Louisiana the bank of Louisiana at that has -- control of last snap program which is a food stamps.
Finance and if they can implement if we can merge the two contracts together.
And since books as the money's on the same caught I don't think there's a need for two contracts I think were duplicating services there.
-- -- they don't want to work with some other vendors -- get about a product.
All right state representative -- they -- it Henry thank you for coming on we appreciate it give us an update when you've got it.
