State Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) supported the $32.3 billion state budget this week and said he was happy with the overall numbers.
“We increased local aid, so my constituents in Agawam, Southwick, Granville and Russell will receive more aid,” said Boldyga. “Education funding was also approved.”
There were 870 amendments proposed, a number of which Boldyga supported. He said an amendment to reform public assistance benefits was one he voted in favor of Wednesday.
“It places more restrictions on what EBT card funds can be spent on,” said Boldyga, who said there is a lot of abuse of the funds. “It’s meant for people who need it . . . the fraud and waste is unfortunate.”
The new language restricts how the funds can be used. Boldyga said last fall, legislation was adopted that gave penalties to business owners that accepted EBT cards for payment for things not meant to be purchased with the card.
“People have used public assistance at casinos, salons, strip clubs, even to go on vacation,” Boldyga said.
Some amendments supported by Boldyga did not pass, including reform of legal aid collection.
“People deemed by the state to be eligible to pay $150 for court ordered defense attorneys are not paying. The money is not being collected,” said Boldyga.
Boldyga also supported funding for math and science programs, a need brought to his attention by administrators in Agawam.
Overall, Boldyga was satisfied with the budget and process. However he said he wished there was more debate.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Boldyga. “I do wish we could have debated some of the amendments more, but for the most part I think it was a good budget with no increases in taxes or fees.”
