This has been another busy week in the Missouri Senate. A major bill that received passionate debate on the floor was Senate Bill 24, which creates the Strengthening Family Act. We spent three days working through concerns some lawmakers had with the bill. On Thursday, we perfected the measure, meaning it only requires a final vote to be sent to the House.
There appears to be a great deal of confusion regarding what this legislation would actually accomplish. Many have falsely viewed the bill as cutting welfare benefits in Missouri. The purpose of the bill is to reform, rather than cut, the programs. It will restructure the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF), along with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The current limit on TANF benefits is five years. The initial intent was to cut the program to 24 months, but a compromise was reached limiting the program to 48 months. This is a positive step toward restructuring the welfare program and ensuring it is being used for its intended purpose — to temporarily assist families during times of struggle. It was not designed to be a permanent form of income.
The goal of the legislation is to encourage people to work to better themselves and create a situation in which they are able to adequately support themselves and their families. We want to help create that sense of pride and satisfaction individuals gain by supporting their families. That feeling of accomplishment is tragically lost when state assistance is required to raise your family.
This legislation also strengthens work requirements. If you are to receive state assistance, you will be required to perform a certain amount of work each week. Statistically, only about 13 percent of welfare recipients are engaged in work activities. The rest are simply receiving free benefits with little to no incentive to change.
Senate Bill 24 would ensure that citizens utilizing these benefits are actively engaged in bettering their lives, and are not content to simply let the government support them with taxpayer funds. The goal is not to punish any recipient, but to help them better themselves, build their self-esteem and to assist them in providing a more financially stable future for themselves and their families.
I think we all agree that the state should help those in need, especially when they are thrust into a difficult financial situation through no fault of their own. I haven’t encountered anyone who is opposed to helping on a temporary basis. However, these programs were never designed to be used as a way of life. By restructuring TANF and SNAP, we are calling upon individuals to take responsibility for themselves. There are enough safeguards in the bill to eliminate or severely restrict those who are abusing the system, or are relying on it as their sole income. I’m hopeful the legislation continues to progress and is eventually signed into law. Reform of these two programs is long-overdue.
As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882. |
