CWA 1180 - HRA Watch

HRA Watch

New welfare bill makes a bad situation worse
February 2003

The 1996 welfare "reform" slashed welfare rolls but did nothing to help people out of poverty. Now, as the country is mired in recession and unemployment is high, Congress wants to make welfare rules even more punitive, kicking even more people off welfare.

A bill passed this month in the House of Representatives would increase work requirements from 30 hours to 40 hours a week, and would increase the number of people who had to meet those requirements, from 50% to 70%. The bill provides money to "promote marriage" but fails to provide for education, job training and child care, which are proven avenues out of poverty.

Senate action on welfare "reform" is expected by the end of March. As Local 1180 members know all too well from their own experience, this reform ain't. Please write your Senators and ask them to reject the House bill and to give poor women and children a real chance by providing education and training instead of punitive workfare assignments.

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