OLYMPIA — As the state Legislature grapples with how to maintain social services, finding ways to prevent the misuse of welfare money has gained the attention of a North Olympic Peninsula representative.
Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, said he is working with a handful of other senators to draft legislation that would make it illegal to use ATM cards that distribute money for low-income families at bars and other establishments were the money is not intended to be spent.
Hargrove, who chairs the Senate’s Human Services and Corrections Committee, said it would apply to people receiving Temporary Assistance for Need Families assistance.
It is a federal program, but the state contributes between $300 million and $400 million a biennium, he said.
The state is facing a $4.6 billion shortfall in its next biennial budget.
“We’re really trying to make sure those programs are as efficient as can be,” Hargrove said.
He acknowledged that it would take additional funding for fraud investigations to make sure the law is enforced. How much, is not quite clear.
“If we catch enough fraud or abuse, potentially that would more than offset [that cost],” Hargrove said.
“Those are the types of things we are trying to evaluate.”
Hargrove represents the 24th District — which includes Clallam and Jefferson counties and a portion of Grays Harbor County — along with Sequim Democrats Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege.
Basic Health Plan
House Majority Whip Van De Wege has added his signature to a bill intended to save the state’s Basic Health Plan. The plan is up for elimination this May.
House Bill 1847 would maintain some funding for the program by eliminating or restricting some tax breaks, such as for coal power plants.
The bill would require two-thirds approval.
Van De Wege said it will be an “uphill battle” to get it approved.
Last week, Van De Wege introduced legislation that would amend the state’s constitution to require it to pay at least 80 percent of its pension obligations.
Most pension funds are currently fully funded, he said.
Other Hargrove bills
Last week, Hargrove also introduced:
• Senate Bill 5690, which would allow juveniles to try to have their parents’ terminated rights reinstated.
• Senate Bill 5691, to separate the administration of benefits and services provided to crime victims from the state’s workers compensation program.
• Senate Bill 5697, to require a government agency that purchases or possesses a firearm to ensure that the gun has a safety device or that a gun safe is available.
• Senate Bill 5722, to expand the use of a 0.1-cent county sales tax that is used for mental health services.
• Senate Bill 5783, to prevent some small forest landowners from having to participate in the forestry riparian easement program.
• Senate Bill 5790, to create a sex offender policy board.
Representatives’ votes
How Tharinger and Van De Wege voted last week:
• House Bill 1039, providing subpoena authority to the Department of Financial Institutions.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 92-0.
• House Bill 1024, adding state Highway 278 to the Scenic and Recreational Highway System.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 92-0.
• House Bill 1040, allowing the secretary of state to give notice of required registrations, license renewals and reporting requirements through e-mail for certain organizations.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 92-0.
• House Bill 1016, exempting firearm noise suppressors that are legally owned and registered according to federal law from criminal liability.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 88-4.
• House Bill 1075, allowing water-sewer districts to sell property worth up to $5,000.
Van De Wege did not vote; Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 87-1.
• House Bill 1074, to delete the requirement that a person appointed to a metropolitan water pollution abatement advisory committee by the commissioners of a water-sewer district must be a commissioner of that district.
Van De Wege did not vote; Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 88-0.
• House Bill 1012, authorizing planning commissioners to serve four-year terms.
Van De Wege did not vote; Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 88-0.
• House Bill 1091, to increase weekly unemployment benefits by $25 and other modifications to the unemployment insurance program.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 98-0.
• House Bill 1120, adding bicycle and pedestrian traffic safety to some traffic safety courses.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 92-0.
• House Bill 1217, allowing local governments to set speed limits on some highways.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 92-0.
• House Bill 1280, to allow public health districts to accept grants and donations.
Van De Wege did not vote; Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 90-0.
• House Bill 1392, to allow irrigation district boards to determine the length of a lease of district property.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 92-0.
• House Bill 1418, requiring the Department of Licensing director to create a process for counting military experience toward the educational requirements of some professions.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 92-0.
• Senate Bill 5135, to allow the 20 weeks of “extended benefits” the state provides during times of high unemployment to be available through the end of the year.
Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes. The bill passed 98-0.
Senator’s votes
How Hargrove voted last week:
• House Bill 1091, increasing weekly unemployment benefits by $25 and other modifications to the unemployment insurance program.
Hargrove voted yes. The bill passed 41-4.
• Senate Bill 5260, limiting combinations of trucks.
Hargrove voted yes. The bill passed 46-0.
• Senate Bill 5195, allowing a person who drives while a license is suspended to enter a pre-charge diversion program.
Hargrove voted yes. The bill passed 46-0.
• Senate Bill 5141, limiting issuance of motorcycle instruction permits.
Hargrove voted yes. The bill passed 44-2.
• Senate Bill 5185, to suspend motorcycle rules for parades.
Hargrove voted yes. The bill passed 46-0.
• Senate Bill 5061, addressing changes made to vehicle and vessel provisions during the 2010 legislative session.
Hargrove voted yes. The bill passed 45-0.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
