May. 30, 2018
HARRISBURG – As part of an ongoing effort to help contain costs and bring about real reform to Pennsylvania’s welfare system, PA House Health Committee Chairman Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) convened a voting meeting last week to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) which would prevent criminals convicted of distributing drugs from receiving welfare benefits.
“My bill is about preventing drug dealers from receiving welfare benefits,” Cox said. “Welfare dollars should be used to help families who temporarily find themselves in an unfavorable financial situation. Taxpayer money should not be used to subsidize a drug dealer’s lifestyle.”
House Bill 129 would amend the Pennsylvania’s Human Services Code to prohibit public assistance eligibility for individuals convicted of violating the Controlled Substance Act. The applicable sections of the Controlled Substance Act are the so-called “kingpin” provisions which relate to a specific set of offenders who sell and deliver large quantities of illegal drugs.
“With expenditures for public health and welfare accounting for nearly 39 percent of our state budget, House Bill 129 should be an easy, fiscally responsible YES! vote in favor of rooting out the rampant waste, fraud and abuse that has infiltrated the Commonwealth’s public welfare system,” said Rapp. “When it comes to ensuring that our tax dollars spent on human services reach only those Pennsylvanians who are truly in need, this legislation will effectively guarantee that there is no room for drug trafficking kingpins or other convicted drug dealers on public welfare rolls.”
House Bill 129 now advances to the full PA House for consideration.
Representative Kathy Rapp
65th District
Representative Jim Cox
129th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979