Welfare Reform Package Passed

House Bills 4409 and 4410 are headed to Governor Rick Snyder for approval after action by the House of Representatives Wednesday. The measures are part of the 2011-2012 fiscal year budget beginning October 1^st and received immediate effect by the Senate earlier in the day.

The legislation represents the end of cash assistance for thousands of Michigan residents by implementing a 48-month limit on able-bodied adults. Food stamps and assistance for health care and day care are still available for those removed from cash assistance. Also exempt from the reform are physically or mentally incapacitated individuals, senior citizens, victims of domestic violence and adults with disabled children.

Recipients will also be permitted to work more hours and still receive the cash assistance under the reform, which was sponsored by Representative Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) and Representative Sharon Tyler (R-Niles).

All 63 Republican House members voted in favor of the package, and were joined by 10 Democratic colleagues. Representatives Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe), Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield), Charles Brunner (D-Bay City), Paul Clemente (D-Lincoln Park), George Darany (D-Dearborn), Marilyn Lane (D-Fraser), Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland), Lesia Liss (D-Warren), Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids), and Dian Slavens (D-Canton Township) crossed over, while an additional three Democrats did not vote.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 26, 2011 10:38 AM
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