Cracking Down on Bridge Card Fraud, Improving Michigan's Economy
Lawmaker who represents Hartland provides updates and views on various topics.
By Cindy Denby
Protecting hard-working taxpayers in the state is one of my top priorities as your state legislator. With that in mind I voted in committee to pass a bill that will crack down on the fraud and abuse that has become prevalent within the Bridge Card system. The state Bridge Card program provides families and people in need with essential goods and services
House Bill 4042 would require the state to perform a monthly check of the Social Security Death Index database. If a recipient is found to be deceased, the department would terminate Bridge Card access. The bill also would require the DHS to check if any recipients or applicants are currently in prison, in which case their access would likewise be terminated.
Such common-sense efforts are crucial to eliminating welfare fraud, which costs hard-working taxpayers money and cheats those who need the program.
Michigan's Economy
Michigan's economy continues to grow stronger and healthier. One way companies in the state are bouncing back is by tapping into foreign markets to increase revenue and create jobs here at home. Last year, Michigan was among 11 states to post double-digit export growth and ranked eighth in total merchandise exports with $56.9 billion.
Companies that aimed at diversifying their portfolio when the economy was down in 2008 are now seeing that decision pay off dividends. Many more companies around the state are looking to follow suit and are working tirelessly to increase their exports. Transportation equipment currently tops the list of exports from Michigan but there any many other products being exported including machinery, chemicals, and computer and electronics.
I am pleased to hear more positive reports about the economy in our state. It is my hope that the work we do will help Michigan continue to bounce back and become more competitive.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at866-828-4863 or via e-mail at cindydenby@house.mi.gov.
Kelly
9:31 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
There needs to be a lot more than that to tackle the fraud with the system! I am so sick of seeing my tax money abused by people who do not even want a job, are collecting and getting paid under the table, using them for cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, ... Ppl are receiving aid for far too long! Claiming disability when they are capable of working. They continue becasue they get away with it. One of my friends went in a store near the Flint area and got laughed at when she paid with cash instead of a card. Watching my niece quit a perfectly good job becasue one of her friends tipped her off on how to get college for free if she quit and was unemployed. Watching other friends vacation in Mexico and FL, they don't miss a yearly trip ever, and kids are on MI child. Watched as others continue to rip off businesses. They never pay off their bills but just reopen in someones elses name and drag it out again. After they run out of spouses they start putting things in other relatives names who get suckered into it. I have no problem giving someone a hand up but this dependency has got to stop. And no I don't have a lot of loser friends most are aquaintances who are milking the churches too so I see it there or comments made as if it is no big deal to grab what they can. Watched one move from Oakland County to Liv. County because she could increase her benefits. How about she puts that same energy into finding a job or keeping one actually is more her problem.
pat
7:54 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
Kelly you make a lot of good points. The local grocery store owner told me that if not for the bridge card ,he would have no reason t put porterhouse steaks on the meat counter.As for michild,I personally know of couples that both work for GM and have their kids on michild.Evidently no checks are done to see if people are eligible for this program.Actually, if the families recieving michild are getting a state tax return ,then this should be forfeitted to repay the cost of the care given.If our state is in fiscal crisis, the first thing they should do is audits against the people recieving undo benefits.
Joan Roberts
9:06 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Thank you Cindy for your effort to help curb the fraud ...but does this not make your head bleed from the inside out that it hasn't been done before? And would not the simple request for ID. Help eliminate the fraud and hey ...I don't have a problem with the state providing an id document to an indigent person free of charge since that seems to be such an incredible issue ... And ...OMG...collecting ebt benefits while in jail ! ...My eyes are bleeding. Has no one been looking out for the poor sucker that drags his butt out of bed every morning rain shine sleet or snow ...busts his butt pays his taxes, prays he can make his payments ...because he is an honest, responsible, and decent human being who cares about his world. I am so discouraged