posted
This article reminded me of anti-Amtrak rhetoric to the effect of "for all the subvention Amtrak has received over its existence, we could have bought automobiles for X percent of the US population"...well, Governor Deval Patrick has engaged in giving donated cars to people on welfare, and it's caused a quite sizable backlash because people who end up back on welfare are allowed to keep the cars (this was part of a program to move people off welfare, ironically enough)...
Gov. Deval Patrick’s free wheels for welfare recipients program is revving up despite the stalled economy, as the keys to donated cars loaded with state-funded insurance, repairs and even AAA membership are handed out to get them to work.
But the program - fueled by a funding boost despite the state’s fiscal crash - allows those who end up back on welfare to keep the cars anyway.
“It’s mind-boggling. You’ve got people out there saying, ‘I just lost my job. Hey, can I get a free car, too?’ ” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading).
The Patrick administration decided last month to funnel an additional $30,000 to the nearly $400,000 annual car ownership program.
The program, which is provided by the State Department of Transitional Assistance, gives out about 65 cars a year, said DTA Commissioner Julia Kehoe.
The state pays for the car’s insurance, inspection, excise tax, title, registration, repairs and a AAA membership for one year at a total cost of roughly $6,000 per car.
The program, which started in 2006, distributes cars donated by non-profit charities such as Good News Garage, a Lutheran charity, which also does the repair work on the car and bills the state.
Kehoe defended the program, saying the state breaks even by cutting welfare payments to the family - about $6,000 a year.
“If you look at the overall picture, this helps make sure people aren’t staying on cash assistance. It’s a relatively short payment for a long-term benefit,” Kehoe said.
But Kehoe admitted about 20 percent of those who received a car ended up back on welfare, and while they lose the insurance and other benefits, they don’t have to return the car.
“Given the state’s fiscal condition, paying for AAA and auto inspection costs is outrageous,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield). “There are so many families out there trying to deal with layoffs and pay cuts. You have to wonder what the state’s priorities are at this point.”
Applicants for cars must have a job or prove they could get one if they had the car in order to qualify. Once they have the wheels, they must send DTA their pay stubs to prove they are employed.
To get the cars, they must be unable to reach work by public transportation and have a clean driving record. The program is only available to families on welfare with children.
Kehoe said the bulk of cars go to places with less public transportation, such as Fitchburg, New Bedford and Lowell.
“I can’t believe there are no restrictions on how they use the car,” Jones said. “I just don’t see this as a core function of government.”
posted
Well, there the answer to slumping US auto sales! The government buys the cars on Big Three dealers' lots and gives them to the homeless. Everyone's happy (please notice tongue firmly implanted in cheek) - except poor people like me who actually bought a car (albeit not one of the Big 3 gas guzzlers) and is making monthly payments.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
This is up to the people of Massachusetts. If they want to give away "donated" cars with insurance and AAA membership, then more power to them.
The 10th amendment gives States this right.
However, the federal government does NOT have this authority, per our Constitution.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
What does this subject have to do with trains? It just seems like gratuitous political grandstanding. There's too much of that on this forum. Can we please return to trains, specifically Amtrak?
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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quote:What does this subject have to do with trains?
It's an example of anti-Amtrak rhetoric come to life in a different form. Governor Patrick has indeed spent on automobiles instead of trains, and there is public outrage over it. That, to me, says that people prefer public spending on trains. (Also, Amtrak formerly operated MBTA's commuter rail system.) I agree it's incidental, but an example of what happens in the real world compared to a rhetorical situation.
(The "OT" stands for "off-topic", BTW. And Amtrak, to be frank, is a political creation, which is why it's subjected to being punted around the political field. Also, since this board is the busiest on this forum, the subject stands the best chance of being viewed.)
Posts: 566 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
If mass transit were a reasonable and practical means of commutation for a qualifying recipient of such an auto, then I would hope that person's "carfare" was being subsidized in place of being provided the auto.
However, "on the flip side" there are enough jobs out there for which there is no alternative than private vehicle transportation. It also means more public benefit is attained if a sponsoring agency is putting donated vehicles to work in support of a program; also it is more beneficial for the donor with regards to Federal Income Tax detectability as, when a charity sells a donated vehicle at auction, the Taxpayer's deduction is limited to the actual proceeds received. However, if an agency puts the vehicle to use in support of a program, the Taxpayer's deduction is guided by the "Blue Book' value of the vehicle.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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