In this Email Update:

• Modernizing IT capabilities to detect welfare fraud
• Examining the cost-effectiveness of utilizing privately owned veterans care facilities
• Tune-in

Modernizing IT capabilities to detect welfare fraud

One issue that greatly upsets residents in the 29th district is the abuse of the welfare system. During Monday’s hearing with the Department of Revenue, I mentioned to Secretary McNulty that in previous years it has been observed that one considerable obstacle in battling welfare fraud lies in the inability of the two departments (Revenue and Human Services) to work together when identifying an individual’s misreporting of income levels on their tax forms.

While the department has not addressed this issue specifically, the Secretary mentioned they are working on implementing more data sharing capabilities with other state agencies, as well as improving their personal income tax system. In regards to detecting fraud by welfare recipients who do not report their lottery winnings, the department does not cross-check their data with the Department of Human Services.

In continuing our efforts to enhance government efficiencies and reduce our real estate footprint, the department has reduced the number of field offices they occupy from 23 to approximately 14.

Watch our full discussion here.

Examining the cost-effectiveness of utilizing privately owned veterans care facilities

Ensuring that our veterans receive the proper care and attention is critical. In an effort to assess potential opportunities to provide additional care for veterans at a lower cost to taxpayers, Senator Vulakovich and I are hopeful that the upcoming report from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee regarding the feasibility of private-public partnerships with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will help us to achieve this goal.

At Monday afternoon’s hearing with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, I asked the department for their feedback regarding this endeavor.

Watch our full discussion here.

Tune-in

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