JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri state senators are speaking out today against the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 24. The bill was aimed at strengthening the state’s effort to fight poverty and modernizing the welfare program. Senate Leader Tom Dempsey said the governor’s concerns are not justified.
“For 20 years, Missouri has unsuccessfully provided an incentive for people to get back to work,” said Dempsey. “This plan would give a structure to get people back to work and reinvest the savings in childcare, job training, and the kind of services that will help people find employment.”
Because Missouri has failed to implement many of the reform policies adopted by other states, it ranks dead last in welfare reform policies. Senate Bill 24 would put ideas other states have implemented successfully into a plan that Missouri can use to improve work participation and empower more Missourians to become employed and be independent.
Bill sponsor Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, said these reforms would fix a faulty system.
“I am deeply disappointed with the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 24. Missouri’s sorry distinction as last in the nation in working for welfare requires us to act,” said Sater. Senate Bill 24 will give our families the structure and tools they need to succeed by emphasizing work and personal engagement. Instead of embracing the Legislature’s proactive reform of our welfare system, the governor is sticking to the status quo; a broken welfare system that discourages work and needlessly creates welfare dependency.”
Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin, said the Senate will bring the bill up for an override.
“I have no reason to believe we won’t be able to overturn this veto,” said Richard. “This measure will not only strengthen personal accountability in welfare policies, but it will help people become more self-sufficient and find employment.” |
