Strange funding saves tax credit computer

Remember when the Legislature voted to spend $1.25 million to build a computer system that could handle a working families tax credit? But there was no actual tax credit money?

Turns out that was sort of brilliant, because with the hiring freeze, the state wouldn't be able to offer a real benefit anyway.

Over at the Department of Revenue, which is in charge of the project, they already hired temporary people to build the computer that would calculate and send the credits, said spokesman Mike Gowrylow.

"There’s a certain amount of work they could do to set up the computer system without additional staff. But it we were to actually implement it and accept applications, we would need more resources," he said.

As in, the department is using the 12 FTEs it was slotted to build the computer. But if they were asked to give the tax credit to qualified families, they would need people to process applications and do other work, say another 40 people they don't have and couldn't hire.

So it's good there are no plans to use it just yet, no?