California continues to make huge cuts in welfare programs

[cowcommander]

SACRAMENTO -- Advocates of welfare reform in California often cite an eye-popping statistic as they seek cuts and changes: The state has one-eighth of the nation's population but one-third of all welfare recipients.

There's a reason for that: California is one of the few states that send welfare checks for children when their parents are no longer eligible. About three-quarters of California's 1.5 million welfare recipients are children 18 and younger.

Still, the specter of a burdensome mass of feeders in the public trough drives campaigns to cut deeper.

Funding for CalWorks, the welfare-to-work program that is the state's main welfare service, was cut by $1 billion this year. The legislation shortened the time a recipient can stay on welfare, from 60 months to 48, and reduced monthly checks by at least 8 percent.

Lawmakers also suspended Cal-Learn, which offers education incentives and services for teenage parents who dropped out of high school.

Many Republican lawmakers say the cuts need to continue because California can no longer afford the costs. They say the relatively generous benefits have made California a magnet for people seeking welfare.

The Legislature's cuts and reforms in recent years don't go far enough, said Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-La Mesa.

He supports cutting even further the time on welfare.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_19654831

Thanks Jerry.

[pnwmom]

1. Don't blame Jerry. Blame the idiot-voters who tied his hands when they approved Prop 13

and every other measure that prevents him from raising taxes.

[Prophet 451]

2. "a burdensome mass of feeders"

First people on the chopping block are always the poor, every single time.

[RKP5637]

3. Yep, it's the same old story, isn't it ... go after the poor, go after the sick, go after the

minorities, or after anyone least able to defend themselves, wave the flag, thump the bible, beat the gays up and bash the poor. it's always the same story in this great land of opportunity and equality. Anymore it really makes me

[Prophet 451]

6. It's even worse here (UK)

The Tories and the press have fuelled an incredible hostility to anyone claiming benefits (welfare) through wildly distorted and exagerated claims of "scroungers". Remember Reagan's "welfare queen"? That's what the current government and a toadying press are doing here, the people are believing it and the Tories are using that as an excuse to slash benefits and re-define disability out of existence. I'm on disability (for both mental and physical reasons) and the test has gotten so harsh now that Stephen Hawking couldn't pass it. Just waiting for my latest assessment now.

[RKP5637]

9. Horrible, absolutely horrible. Good luck with your latest assessment, I hope

things work out OK for you.

[FirstLight]

4. that is a really nasty thing to say

"Still, the specter of a burdensome mass of feeders in the public trough drives campaigns to cut deeper. "


guh... why not address the fact that unemployment is higher here?

and why do they tak about the fact that kids get money even if their parents have reached the limit, like that'd a bad thing? if someone is unable to get a living wage job in their alotted time and can't feed their kids, are they supposed to be SOL?

this shit chaps my hide

[coalition_unwilling]

5. Thanks - I just blasted them on their website, those reactionary pigs. - n/t

[Zalatix]

7. They'll change their mind on this when the poor start rebelling

Why aren't more poor people marching and demonstrating? It's like they prefer to starve in silence.

[Starry Messenger]

8. What's in the water at the Contra Costa Times?

California has 85 billionaires. Now tell me who is feeding at the public trough? Tax the rich.

[Adam C]

10. Agreed

It really is sad that so many people have to suffer because of those who take advantage of this program. I was looking at the different requirements to apply for welfare in each state, and it really isn't difficult to take advantage of it. There are talks of drug test requirements, and I think this may not be the worst idea, but cutting the program? In my job as a social worker, I run into so many struggling families, and there are far too many worthy people who rely on Welfare to survive to cut the funding. I decided to become a social worker to help people like this, and now I encourage anyone who may be thinking about this career path to check out my website, http://socialsciencedegree.net/, to compare the different programs and schools available to become a social worker.