WHP-TV 21, Harrisburg

Welfare budget battle

Reported by: Mike Parker

Last Update: 6/17(/2008) 6:21 pm

There weren't a lot of people inside the Capitol Media Center Tuesday morning when a group of lawmakers, led by Republican State Rep. Darryl Metcalf, called on the governor to cut one billion dollars from the welfare budget. He accused the governor of "highway robbery," saying leasing the turnpike and tolling I-80 to pay for road and bridge repairs is unfair to taxpayers while at the same time, asking for more money to help people who collect welfare.

This year, it’s a proposed 7% increase, adding up to more than $10.3 billion. It’s the largest single earmark in the budget.

Metcalf's idea is to cut a billion from welfare and use the savings to fix up aging roads and bridges.

There were more eyes and ears on hand Tuesday afternoon when the governor appeared at a different event. CBS 21 asked Governor Rendell his thoughts on the proposed transfer of funds. First, the governor pointed out the $2 billion already proposed for roads and bridges. As for the welfare budget Rendell said, "In terms of taking a billion dollars out of the welfare budget, please go back and ask Representative Metcalf what, specifically, he would take out of the welfare budget, and then come see me!"

So, that's what we did. But Metcalf tells us it’s not about taking anything out. It’s about taking back what shouldn't be given out by cracking down on fraud. "It’s something that's always been known. You know, there's people on welfare that shouldn't be on welfare!" Metcalf says. "Welfare for folks who are really in need? For a short period of time, is one thing. But creating dependency that carries on from generation to generation is wrong."

According to numbers provided by Metcalf, the Rendell administration has slipped when it comes to prosecuting welfare fraud. From 2001-2002 more than 47,000 cases were investigated under Republican Governors Ridge and Schweiker compared to just under 23,000 cases from 2005-2006 under Rendell, who's welfare budgets have increased by more than $3 billion over six years.

We also received statistics from the state welfare department itself, which indicates welfare applicants may be more highly scrutinized than ever when they apply for welfare, than they are after they receive benefits. For instance, last year more than 780,000 people out of 2.2 million applicants were rejected at the start.

After we spoke to Representative Metcalf we did call the governor's office and received a comment from his spokesman, Chuck Ardo. Ardo says of Metcalf's proposal, "If he believes a billion dollars can be found in welfare fraud savings, he needs to point those out to the proper authorities."