JEFFERSON CITY — Senator David Sater, R-Cassville, was recently named the 2015 National Legislator of the Year by the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) for his leadership in rooting out fraud and abuse and reforming Missouri’s welfare system.
“So many people depend on our state services, like the elderly, children, the disabled, struggling parents, and many more, and people who steal from these programs are stealing from those in need,” said Tarren Bragdon, FGA CEO. “Fortunately, leaders like Sen. Sater are looking at bold, innovative solutions that leverage 21st century tools to stop fraud and waste in their states’ social programs.”
Earlier this year, Sen. Sater sponsored and passed comprehensive welfare reform that creates and enforces strong work requirements to receive benefits, develops a sanction or penalty process for welfare recipients refusing to comply with work requirements, and offers resources to help recipients overcome barriers to workforce participation and self-sufficiency. Senator Sater also pushed legislation to reform the way the state audits eligibility for welfare programs by using innovative tools and better data to remove individuals defrauding the system and taking away resources from those who are truly in need – while saving taxpayer dollars.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Sen. Sater. “Welfare programs account for a huge portion of our state and federal budgets. While the federal government refuses to deal with the problem, racking up trillions in debt along the way, Missouri is finding new and innovative ways to combat waste, fraud and abuse. At the same time we are balancing our state budget and keeping taxes low. That’s the leadership Missourians are looking for and I will continue to fight wasteful and inefficient government in all its forms.”
The Foundation for Government Accountability is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening communities and improving the lives of individuals and families by equipping policymakers with principled strategies to replace failed health and welfare programs nationwide.
For more information on Sen. Sater or legislation filed by Sen. Sater, please visit his Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/sater.