Legislature: Take Another Look : County program to fight fraud suddenly lacks state funds

Perhaps cooperation has never been government’s strongest feature. Yet when federal, state and local officials agreed to finance high-tech equipment to help Los Angeles County fight welfare fraud, it seemed that bureaucracies could, on occasion, stop pointing fingers and work together. Unfortunately for taxpayers, the teamwork didn’t last long.

The problem started in June, when the Legislature suddenly eliminated a $5-million appropriation from the state budget that would have partially reimbursed L.A. County for new computers and fingerprint-imaging devices. That equipment, which already had been purchased by the county at a cost of $11 million, could have saved taxpayers millions more over the long haul by eliminating the problem of multiple claims in the Aid to Families With Dependent Children program.

With a new tracking system, which would be the first in the nation for AFDC recipients, the state Department of Social Services estimates that of the 300,000 adults receiving AFDC in L.A. County, 4,844 would drop off the welfare rolls in the first year, saving $5.5 million. State officials had promised to defray 35% of the cost while the federal government agreed to pay 50%. But with the state cut and the feds gettting cold feet, the county will have to swallow an $11-million tab--the unreimbursed federal and state share of costs for machinery that may never be used because of lack of funds for administration. This at a time when the county is making deep cuts everywhere.

The Legislature offers various explanations for failing to cough up the money. One argument is that the program wouldn’t have saved as much as touted. Another is that legislators believed the state agency exceeded its authority in encouraging the county to go ahead on its own. Whatever the explanation, now that the $11 million has been spent, it’s nonsensical and counterproductive to argue over fault. What’s needed is to show some cooperation to get the program up and running.

Eleven million dollars is too much to spend for something never to be used, especially in these tough times.