In relation to some Massachusetts state officers, for those who give them a P-card, they are going to spend. Quite a bit.
What they’re spending, after all, is taxpayer cash, however that doesn’t cease the Bay State binge-hounds uncovered in current Herald stories. The newest, embattled Sheriff Steven Tompkins, gave his procurement card a lux exercise, with journeys to the Bahamas, a resort in Florida, high-end eating places and a golf course.
It’s a slap within the face to taxpayers, and but it continues. The Herald reported on Legal professional Common Andrea Campbell’s bills, and people of former Suffolk District Legal professional Rachael Rollins.
Mass. residents watch costs rise and wages struggle to maintain up, they in the reduction of and battle to pay for overpriced housing, however these on the high be happy to jet off to New Orleans and Vegas casinos.
Should be good.
However nothing appears to cease the gravy practice, not even the specter of being referred to as out in print. Which is why Massachusetts-issued P-cards want the SNAP therapy.
Simply because the EBT playing cards issued to recipients of the Supplemental Diet Help Program are set to limit purchases of sugary drinks and processed junk meals, Mass. P-cards ought to mechanically prohibit purchases of alcohol, meals, journeys to golf programs, trip resorts, and different treats.
The state’s guidelines on P-card expressly name out and forbid utilizing the cardboard for “value of meals, snacks, or espresso (whether or not throughout journey or in any other case).” Apparently it’s an honor system, and everyone knows how these work out.
In fiscal 2025 the sheriff’s workplace P-card was used to spend $2,194.00 on the Brockton Meat Market, $2,000 on a caterer referred to as “All people Gotta Eat;” $890.67 at varied Dunkin Donuts places in Boston and Brockton; $158.36 and $184.22 in two transactions at Felcaro Pizzeria; and three transactions of $225.63, $155.55, and $92.07 on the Andrew Sq. Home of Pizza.
In accordance with the State Comptroller’s Workplace, it’s the duty of division heads to supervise using their state-issued procurement credit score traces, or P-cards. We’re positive there are many officers and employees who’re prudent with their spending, however the ones who slip by way of the cracks are a humiliation and add to the pile of causes taxpayers don’t belief these in control of their cash.
Limiting purchases on P-cards to allowable gadgets, with the opportunity of a per diem money restrict, would preserve excessive rollers from dwelling massive on our dime. Within the non-public sector, journey bills are tracked, and overspenders are taken to job.
It’s referred to as accountability. We might use extra of that in Massachusetts, from all ranges of management. We nonetheless don’t have the total reply on who’s making what within the state’s quasi-public businesses.
An overhaul of P-card use gained’t remedy all the things, nevertheless it gives an opportunity to corral inappropriate and over-the-top spending. Non-public sector staffers need to toe the road on bills; why shouldn’t our leaders?
In relation to sticking taxpayers with exorbitant restaurant and resort payments, it’s time for Mass. leaders to SNAP out of it.
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