True Welfare Reform in Mass
By Gov. Mitt Romney

       When it comes to helping welfare recipients gain the dignity that comes through work, Massachusetts lags the rest of the nation. We must come into line with the national standard there is no substitute for the dignity and sense of self-worth that comes with the financial independence provided by a steady job.
       Changing the status quo is a high priority because the best welfare system isn’t a handout, but a hand up. Now is the time for Massachusetts to take the next step forward in encouraging genuine independence and self-sufficiency for every citizen.
       Back in 1995, the Commonwealth chartered its own course on welfare reform with the introduction of a limited work requirement. By and large, that reform has been successful. In 1995, nearly 103,000 Massachusetts families received assistance. Today, the welfare rolls have declined to 48,000 families. But still, because of various exemptions, only 20 percent of our welfare recipients are working.
       This September, however, the federal waiver to operate under our own rules will expire. This means that Massachusetts needs to prepare to conform to the more sensible federal standards as outlined in the Welfare Reform Act signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996.
       I have filed legislation to bring Massachusetts into conformance with the federal standards. There are four key pieces to this legislation:
       First, work requirements.
       A more significant work requirement is critical if we’re serious about helping people get out of poverty and into a truly independent life.
       This means that most welfare recipients would be required to work at least 20 hours a week. Recipients with children under the age of 1 and the truly disabled will continue to be exempt from the work requirement.
      Under my proposal, the type of work counted towards the requirement will not change. This includes on-the-job-training, vocational education up to a year, job searches and community service. In other words, we want to be as flexible as possible in helping people to meet the work requirement.
      Second, time limits.
       Massachusetts is one of only five states without a lifetime benefit limit. That sends the wrong message. Welfare should be there to help people who are going through hard times. It shouldn’t be a lifelong means of support. That is why I propose that the Commonwealth adopt the federal government’s five-year lifetime limit.
       Third, keeping more of what you earn.
       Traditionally, one of the problems with helping people to move off welfare is that it doesn’t make financial sense for them to do so. Stripping people of their welfare benefits when they get their first job is not only punitive; it’s self-defeating. My bill starts to address this problem by allowing welfare recipients to keep at least one-half of their earned income before seeing a reduction in their monthly welfare benefits. Under current law, most recipients can only keep a third of their earned income if they go to work.
       Fourth, extra financial to support the transition to work.
       My bill relies on an additional $8 million for education and training programs, and $6.4 million for increased childcare demand. I am also requesting more money to handle increased case management. In addition, transportation services will be made available to ensure welfare recipients are able to get to work, childcare and training.
       We recognize the need that many families have for extra public support in making the transition from welfare to work, and we’re ready to provide that support.
       There’s nothing compassionate about providing a lifetime of welfare. Real welfare reform means positive change for countless families.

Mitt Romney
Governor of Massachusetts