World Courant
A brand new investigation by The Boston Herald finds that welfare recipients in Massachusetts have spent tax {dollars} touring to tropical trip locations and states 1000’s of miles away from New England.
Public information obtained by the Herald present that taxpayer-funded EBT playing cards have been utilized in Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, California, Florida, Alaska and several other different places throughout the nation. Greater than $3 billion in federal and state {dollars} had been distributed to blue-state recipients in fiscal yr 2024.
There have been 32 costs utilizing EBT playing cards in Hawaii this yr, with the most important spend being $378 on the island of Maui in March. the report stated.
300 and fifty-one extra {dollars} had been spent in Hilo, one other common vacationer vacation spot in Hawaii recognized for its lovely waterfalls and plush rainforests. In keeping with public information, EBT cash was additionally spent in Honolulu, Pearl Metropolis, Princeville, Waikoloa and Captain Prepare dinner.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OFFERED A RANGE OF TAXPAYER-FUNDED BENEFITS, WITH MORE TO COME: ‘PULL FACTOR’
New analysis has revealed that Maui, Hawaii, is without doubt one of the places the place EBT {dollars} from Massachusetts have been used. (AP picture/MVB, Ron Dahlquist)
That’s not all. Massachusetts’ EBT {dollars} had been spent in practically each state within the U.S., together with 165 cities and cities in California and 293 places in Florida, the report stated.
Greater than a dozen bills had been additionally recorded this yr within the Virgin Islands and Alaska, together with a $395 cost in Anchorage.
Republican Senator Ryan Fattman referred to as the report’s findings “madness and authorities at its worst.”
“This does not make any sense. It is madness and authorities at its worst,” he informed The Herald. “What the hell is anyone doing in Hawaii? We’d like this cash to feed households,” he stated. “That tells me there is a large downside with this method.”
MASSACHUSETTS GOP DEMANDS INFORMATION ON STATE’S $1 BILLION IN ‘SECRET’ MIGRANT SPENDING: ‘VEIL OF SECRECY’
A brand new report finds that Massachusetts’ EBT funds had been spent 1000’s of miles from New England. (iStock)
There are restrictions on what the EBT funds can be utilized for. They can’t be used to buy alcohol, firearms or ammunition, pornography, leisure marijuana, or for playing or lottery tickets, amongst different restrictions.
Use whereas touring additionally have to be authorised, based on the Massachusetts Division of Transitional Help. Failure to take action may end in termination of advantages.
“People who obtain public help by way of the Division of Transitional Help use these advantages to satisfy their most elementary wants and qualify by having an annual earnings that’s at the very least 200 p.c beneath the federal poverty stage. State and federal legal guidelines regulate what could be bought with advantages and the place purchases could be made, and any out-of-state use outdoors of an authorised momentary absence might end in a person not receiving help as a result of she or he doesn’t meet Massachusetts residency necessities,” the DTA stated in an announcement to Fox Information Digital.
In keeping with the Herald report, greater than $11 billion in meals and financial help has been offered to eligible residents over the previous three funds years.
Migrants sleeping on the ground of Logan Airport have been requested to go away (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Photographs)
Massachusetts is a sanctuary state and gives immigrants entry to those welfare applications. An estimated 50,000 unlawful immigrants have come to the state since 2021.
A current report from the Heart for Immigration Research discovered that the migrant disaster will value taxpayers $1.8 billion over the subsequent two years.
Immigrants are eligible for meals stamps offered by the Supplemental Diet Help Program (SNAP), Momentary Help to Needy Households (TANF), Medicaid, and different public providers. Immigrants can entry these applications though the federal authorities prohibits entry to such applications.
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Fox Information’ Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this report.
Kristine Parks is an affiliate editor for Fox Information Digital. Learn extra.
