When it comes to some Massachusetts state officials, if you give them a P-card, they will spend. A lot.

What they’re spending, of course, is taxpayer money, but that doesn’t stop the Bay State binge-hounds uncovered in recent Herald reports. The latest, embattled Sheriff Steven Tompkins, gave his procurement card a lux workout, with trips to the Bahamas, a resort in Florida, high-end restaurants and a golf course.

It’s a slap in the face to taxpayers, and yet it continues. The Herald reported on Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s expenses, and those of former Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins.

Mass. residents watch prices rise and wages fight to keep up, they cut back and struggle to pay for overpriced housing, but those at the top feel free to jet off to New Orleans and Vegas casinos.

Must be nice.

But nothing seems to stop the gravy train, not even the specter of being called out in print. Which is why Massachusetts-issued P-cards need the SNAP treatment.

Just as the EBT cards issued to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are set to restrict purchases of sugary drinks and processed junk food, Mass. P-cards should automatically restrict purchases of alcohol, food, trips to golf courses, vacation resorts, and other treats.

The state’s rules on P-card expressly call out and forbid using the card for “cost of meals, snacks, or coffee (whether during travel or otherwise).” Apparently it’s an honor system, and we all know how those work out.

In fiscal 2025 the sheriff’s office P-card was used to spend $2,194.00 at the Brockton Meat Market, $2,000 on a caterer called “Everybody Gotta Eat;” $890.67 at various Dunkin Donuts locations in Boston and Brockton;  $158.36 and $184.22 in two transactions at Felcaro Pizzeria; and three transactions of $225.63, $155.55, and $92.07 at the Andrew Square House of Pizza.

According to the State Comptroller’s Office, it is the responsibility of department heads to oversee the use of their state-issued procurement credit lines, or P-cards. We’re sure there are plenty of officials and staff who are prudent with their spending, but the ones who slip through the cracks are an embarrassment and add to the pile of reasons taxpayers don’t trust those in charge of their money.

Restricting purchases on P-cards to allowable items, with the possibility of a per diem cash limit, would keep high rollers from living large on our dime. In the private sector, travel expenses are tracked, and overspenders are taken to task.

It’s called accountability. We could use more of that in Massachusetts, from all levels of leadership. We still don’t have the full answer on who is making what in the state’s quasi-public agencies.

An overhaul of P-card use won’t solve everything, but it offers a chance to corral inappropriate and over-the-top spending. Private sector staffers have to toe the line on expenses; why shouldn’t our leaders?

When it comes to sticking taxpayers with exorbitant restaurant and resort bills, it’s time for Mass. leaders to SNAP out of it.

Editorial cartoon by Chip Bok (Creators Syndicate)