HARRISBURG, PA — Three senators are advocating for additional investigators within the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General with a sole purpose of finding welfare waste, fraud, abuse and misuse.

Senators David G. Argall, Ryan Aument and Mike Regan, all Republicans, introduced Senate Bill 425, which would require the Office of Inspector General to hire at least 50% additional staff dedicated to finding fraud within public assistance programs administered by the state’s Department of Human Services and Department of Health.

Each welfare fraud investigator is able to identify over $1.2 million on overpayments or fraudulent activity. The senators say that is a reason why this is a commonsense approach to saving valuable tax dollars.

“This measure will pay for itself again and again,” Argall said. “We believe this proposal will maintain the integrity of our public assistance programs and keep a watchful eye over taxpayer dollars. Taxpayers are rightfully frustrated when they read reports of welfare fraud—we are saying enough is enough with those who swindle the public assistance programs.”