HAWLEY: GOVERNOR’S WELFARE HANDOUT CIRUMVENTING WELFARE REFORM, TAKEN FROM THE HANDS OF HARDWORKING TAXPAYERS
According to Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia), Governor Paterson has unveiled plans to hand out $175 million in a “back to school” bonus program for hundreds of thousands of welfare and food-stamp recipients.
While this year’s budget included a ten percent welfare hike, and 30 percent over the next three years, recipients with children ages three to seventeen will receive $200 cash per child, for example a family with 5 eligible children would receive $1,000. Additionally, it has been noted that the governor’s office has ordered local officials to make grants for children in families that have violated work requirements mandated by welfare reforms, and many families whose children are no longer enrolled in school will still receive the handout, which is supposedly to be used for back-to-school items.
This year’s state budget, which increased welfare payments, conversely cut $1.5 billion in STAR rebate payments and raised taxes and fees on hardworking families by over $8 billion, noted Hawley.
“Propagating a culture of dependence is not the way to spur the economy and improve the lives of New Yorkers,” Hawley stated. “We should be encouraging recipients instead to look for work, to take charge of their lives and do what is right for their families. This is a huge step back in welfare reform.”
“While millions of hardworking New Yorkers have seen their rebate checks disappear and are struggling to make ends meet, the governor plans to hand out free money to welfare recipients?” said Hawley. “We’re not talking stipends or vouchers here either, but cash to be used with no oversight or regulation. It’s outrageous that senior citizens and middle-class families are stuck paying higher taxes while the governor turns around and hands the money off to those already receiving welfare and food stamps.”
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