LEGISLATIVE LEADERS STALL BILLS TARGETING POOR FAMILIES
Measures would put up barriers for struggling families trying to get back on their feet again
AUGUSTA — The governing body of the state legislature today put the brakes on two measures that would make it harder for struggling Maine families seeking temporary help to get back on their feet again.
Democratic and Republican leaders serving on the Legislative Council must approve any new bills for the short second session of the legislature, which is typically reserved for emergency or time-sensitive measures.
“These bills are not emergencies, they are election year politics and simply bad policy,” said Speaker of the House Mark Eves of North Berwick. “In other states these policies have failed. Instead of putting up barriers for struggling families, we must help them get the training they need to get a good job.”
The bills, introduced by House Minority Leader Ken Fredette of Newport, would require prerequisite work-searches for those seeking to qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Current law already has work requirements for those people who receive temporary help.
“We need to be helping people who are down on their luck get back on their feet. Many of the families who rely on temporary assistance are in crisis, said Senate President Justin Alfond. “We need to help people regain their lives, not make it harder.”
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, of the total number of struggling Maine people who get temporary help through TANF, 78 percent are women, 68 percent are children who are typically very young. One in four are fleeing domestic violence situations.
Governor Paul LePage and his Republican allies have made so-called “welfare reform” a key campaign issue for 2014.
A study by Sandra Butler, University of Maine professor, shows that since the governor’s so-called “reforms” took effect, 70 percent of those who were removed from temporary help have had to rely on food banks; one in three has had utilities turned off; and one in five has been evicted from their homes.
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