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Senate advances debate on $750,000 proposal for AG fraud investigations; bill is circled for follow-up
Summary
Senate debate on Substitute SB 99 proposed $750,000 to the Attorney General to investigate suspected welfare and tax fraud in isolated communities; senators raised concerns about targeting and press communications and the bill was circled for further consideration.
Senator Ron Allen summarized Substitute SB 99 as a targeted funding request to the Attorney General’s office to investigate and prosecute suspected fraud and abuse in socially isolated communities.
Allen said the proposal would provide $750,000 “to the AG's office” to serve as a clearinghouse for investigations and intelligence on suspected welfare and tax abuse in communities that show low unemployment but high rates of public assistance. ‘‘We would ask for your support. This is a very important bill,’’ he said, noting the amount was reduced from earlier proposals.
The floor debate included objections to a press note from the Attorney General that some senators called “offensive,” and a motion was made to circle the bill to allow time for the controversy to cool and for further discussion. Senators agreed and circled SB 99; no final roll-call on passage was recorded that day.
Next steps: SB 99 was circled pending further resolution of concerns and responses from stakeholders; proponents said they would continue to refine and defend the proposal.
Sources: floor remarks by Senator Ron Allen and subsequent floor debate Feb. 2, 1999.
