With regards to some Massachusetts state officers, in the event you give them a P-card, they’ll spend. Lots.
What they’re spending, in fact, is taxpayer cash, however that doesn’t cease the Bay State binge-hounds uncovered in current Herald reviews. 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 Lawyer Basic Andrea Campbell’s bills, and people of former Suffolk District Lawyer Rachael Rollins.
Mass. residents watch costs rise and wages combat to maintain up, they reduce and wrestle to pay for overpriced housing, however these on the high be happy to jet off to New Orleans and Vegas casinos.
Have to 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 Vitamin Help Program are set to limit purchases of sugary drinks and processed junk meals, Mass. P-cards ought to mechanically limit 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 “price 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.
Based on the State Comptroller’s Workplace, it’s the accountability of division heads to supervise the usage of their state-issued procurement credit score strains, or P-cards. We’re positive there are many officers and employees who’re prudent with their spending, however the ones who slip by the cracks are a humiliation and add to the pile of causes taxpayers don’t belief these accountable for their cash.
Limiting purchases on P-cards to allowable objects, with the potential of a per diem money restrict, would preserve excessive rollers from dwelling massive on our dime. Within the personal sector, journey bills are tracked, and overspenders are taken to job.
It’s referred to as accountability. We may use extra of that in Massachusetts, from all ranges of management. We nonetheless don’t have the complete reply on who’s making what within the state’s quasi-public businesses.
An overhaul of P-card use received’t remedy the whole lot, however it affords an opportunity to corral inappropriate and over-the-top spending. Personal sector staffers should toe the road on bills; why shouldn’t our leaders?
With regards to sticking taxpayers with exorbitant restaurant and resort payments, it’s time for Mass. leaders to SNAP out of it.
