We learn every day that too many take advantage of our systems. Waste, fraud, abuse... we need to eliminate these. Taxpayers need protection.

HB 2734, by Rep. Janis Holt, would have created a new criminal offense for public assistance fraud by amending Section 32.32 of the Penal Code. It makes it a crime to intentionally or knowingly make a false or misleading written statement in an application to obtain benefits under programs such as the Child Health Plan, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The bill establishes a graduated penalty structure, with offenses ranging from a Class C misdemeanor for fraud under $100 to a first-degree felony for fraud exceeding $300,000.

It died due to a Democrat's point of order. That's the problem. We need more like Republican Rep. Janis Holt, who want to get rid of fraud instead of protecting it.