LePage welfare reform proposal meets with criticism
Gov. Paul LePage has unveiled new proposals to restrict use of electronic benefit cards and require those who apply for assistance to prove they are searching for work, ideas that earned sharp criticism from Democratic leaders.
The Portland Press Herald reported LePage’s proposal would prohibit the use of cash benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to buy alcohol, tobacco products or lottery tickets, prohibit out-of-state of electronic benefits cards, require TANF applicants to show they have applied for at least three jobs before getting benefits and remove exemptions from federal work-search requirements. He also proposed elimination of the Parents As Scholars program, which operates within TANF and provides job-training assistance to low-income parents who pursue two- or four-year college degrees.
Democratic leaders said the governor’s proposals are attempts to vilify the poor in advance of his re-election bid in November. The newspaper reported that a bill to require applicants to prove they are seeking work before receiving benefits caused a spike in denials in Pennsylvania, which passed such a law in 2012. All of the proposals are expected to have public hearings today.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments