This sentiment was echoed by Rep. Chris Bell (D-Jackson) and many other members of the House of Representatives, who encouraged their colleagues to vote against Senate Bill 2256, controversial legislation that would have allowed the state auditor access to tax returns of recipients of public assistance. The bill was defeated by those who opposed it. It was passed by 76 votes to 45, mostly on party lines after a lively debate. The legislation grants the State Auditor’s Office authority to review income tax returns in order to determine eligibility for public assistance programs such as Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Familys (TANF), or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP). The bill was presented by Rep. Joey Hood (Republican from Ackerman), who is also the chair of the House Medicaid Committee. Hood stated that the auditor’s office will randomly select five percent of applicants’ income tax returns from their states and compare them with what they have listed on their public assistance applications. Hood said that the audit is another tool in the toolbox to verify eligibility requirements. After the auditor’s office revealed that the Mississippi Director for Human Services and other nonprofit officials had allegedly allowed subcontractors access to millions of federal dollars meant for Mississippians, the bill was first taken up by a Senate committee. These officials allegedly stole more than $4.15million from the TANF program, which is intended to provide basic assistance as well as work support. The federal government grants states wide discretion in how they spend money. Mississippi receives approximately $86.5 million annually from the federal government. [Read all our coverage about Mississippi welfare. The House was represented by Robert Johnson of Natchez and Jarvis Dortch from Raymond, both Democrats. They proposed amendments to the bill to alter the bill. They argued that tax returns were not reliable resources for audits. Both amendments were rejected. They failed to pass primarily on party lines. Many House members asked why the Legislature wasn’t auditing providers and agencies that supervise these funds. Bell stated that the bill was an attack on poor people. Bell said that this bill targets individuals who are unable to make ends meet and is now being targeted because someone stole millions of dollars. Hood said that the legislation was not intended to address the embezzlement scandal. Instead, it is a response in federal 2019 mandate that the state auditor’s examine eligibility for Medicaid recipients. The bill passed but was held on a motion for reconsideration, so the House may consider re-examining it. See how the members voted._x000D