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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Matthew H. Smith State Rep. Jesse White D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver
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Lawmakers introduce bill to end funding for questionable organizations
MT. LEBANON, Sept. 25 – State Reps. Matt Smith, D-Allegheny, and Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, are introducing legislation calling for an elimination of state funding for questionable organizations such as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
The bill would prohibit the state from providing funding to organizations that fail to comply with state and federal lobbying requirements or that knowingly file fraudulent forms with regulatory agencies, which specifically includes ACORN.
The organization, associated with assisting low and middle income individuals with voter participation and affordable housing, among other campaigns, has come under investigation by several government agencies, including the Census Bureau, which has already cut ties with the group.
"We must ensure that taxpayer dollars are expended in the most wise and effective manner possible. It has become apparent to me that ACORN is not an entity which should receive state assistance in any manner," Smith said. "It is particularly important during this very difficult economic time to verify that any entity receiving taxpayer funding is acting properly, ethically and legally."
Committed to government reform, Smith and White modeled the legislation after recent amendments passed in Congress to strip ACORN of funding. The bill would sever all financial ties between the Commonwealth and ACORN and other similar organizations that receive state funding and engage in prohibited activities.
"While we’re digging ourselves out of a sluggish national economy and trying to balance a state budget, the very last thing we need is for any taxpayer-funded organization to abuse the public trust," White said.
Smith and White are also sending a letter to Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner requesting an audit of state funding provided to ACORN over the last five years. The legislators pointed out that ACORN has not received state funding since it was issued a Cease and Desist Order in 2007 from the Pennsylvania Department of State for its failure to register as a charitable organization or to explain why it was exempt from the registration requirements.
This legislation is currently gaining bipartisan co-sponsors as Smith and White prepare to formally introduce it.
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