Local legislator introduces welfare reform bill on tobacco purchases
A local state representative introduced legislation Tuesday to prevent people from using public assistance to buy tobacco products.
“This is an absolute no-brainer,” said State Rep. Mike Reese, R-Mount Pleasant. “We need welfare reform.”
The bill, introduced as HB 1834, would prohibit people who receive cash assistance through Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) cards from buying tobacco products at point-of-sale locations. Alcohol purchases with EBT cards are already prohibited by the Public Welfare Code, but tobacco is not. The bill was introduced twice before, but did not move beyond the House floor, he said.
“Obviously the Access cards are provided to individuals who are down and out and in need of support from the community. It’s an important program,” he said.
The intention of public assistance is to help people purchase essentials, such as groceries and toiletries, and provide for their families, Reese said.
“But the idea of using tax dollars on the EBT card to purchase any type of tobacco is not a good use of tax dollars for the commonwealth,” he added.
He acknowledged in his memorandum that it is impossible to guarantee everyone will use public assistance “for the good of themselves and their families” in all cases, but that the legislation would make tobacco purchases with EBT cards less convenient.
State Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis, a sponsor of the bill, said he uses his position to eliminate wasteful government spending.
“This is an opportunity to eliminate wasteful government spending,” he said.
He said he has not seen any opposition to the bill. The residents of the 52nd District support it, Warner said.
“I think it is one of our duties to use taxpayer dollars in the most efficient manner,” he said. “Most taxpayers agree (purchasing tobacco products) is not a good way to use tax dollars.”
Warner said he sponsored the bill when it was introduced previously.
The bill would also prohibit people from using public assistance to make purchases at businesses licensed by the state Gaming Control Board and state Liquor Control Board.
“As a state legislator, I feel it is incumbent upon us to help ensure that publicly-funded benefits intended to support the basic necessities of life are used in a responsible manner,” Reese wrote in his memorandum. “Most of our public assistance programs are intended to support families with children, and every dollar spent on tobacco is one less dollar for their care.”