JEFFERSON CITY— The Missouri Senate voted this week to advance a bill that will strengthen the state’s efforts to fight poverty. Senate Bill 24, known as the Strengthening Missouri Families Act, will modify provisions of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Senate Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, said to be able to give TANF dollars to Missouri families, the state receives a federal block earmarked for assistance to the poor.
“We are not cutting welfare,” said Dempsey. “We are restructuring the system and reinvesting the savings in incentives such as childcare, job training and transportation services to get people back into the workforce.”
Senate Bill 24 will put ideas other states have used successfully into a plan that Missouri can use to improve work participation, empower more Missourians to become employed and be independent. Senate Bill 24 will add strict work requirements for recipients and lowers the caps for lifetime limits. The bill will also create a cash diversion program that will act as a cash grant for short-term needs designed to keep potential welfare recipients, particularly those considered “job ready,” from entering the system.
Bill sponsor Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, said restructuring TANF benefits only continues the effort to fight poverty in the Show-Me State.
“Missouri has failed to implement many of the reform policies adopted by other states,” said Sater. “As a result, we rank dead last in the country in welfare reform policies. To get people back into the work force, one of the most important steps someone can take to escape poverty is to take a job and participate in the workforce.”
Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin, said our current welfare system provides such a high level of benefits that it acts as a disincentive for work.
“We want to strengthen personal accountability in welfare policies to help people become independent,” said Richard. “These changes will give us more flexibility when addressing the challenges TANF recipients face.”
The bill will now move to the House for consideration. To learn more about this bill and others or to track their progress, visit www.senate.mo.gov. |
