A new bill that could potentially save the state a half a million dollars a year sails through the Assembly but is stalled in the Senate.  One shore area lawmaker continues to what he can to change that.

Declan O'Scanlon
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Shore Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon is one of the sponsors of the bill that would require all state workers to use direct deposit for their paychecks.  What is so wrong about that?  Why isn't everyone on that system by now?  We live in an electronic age and everything is computerized.  When we hear that the state can save a small fortune to its already strapped budget, it's really a no-brainer.

The concerns that have been raised range from "what if I don't have a bank account?" or "what about fraud or errors?"  According to Assemblyman O'Scanlon, those issues have been worked out already.  There is also a section of the bill that says there are exceptions to the rule under certain circumstances.

This whole issue reminds me of a conversation I once had with my dad.  I have been using direct deposit for years and it really is more convenient than driving to the bank every week.  Now that most of us pay bills online, what could be easier?  My dad was one of those holdouts.  Recently, he finally gave in and now loves it.  No more Friday trips to the bank.  No more paper statements and clutter.  He actually told me "wow, you were right, this is great."

Although the savings won't be an astronomical number to the state, O'Scanlon says in these tough economic times, every little bit helps.  Think of all the paper and time it would save.  There are actually couriers who go out and deliver paper checks to places.  If this direct deposit measure was a requirement, it could be a huge benefit.

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