MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - The sponsor of the Senate's welfare reform bill still holds out hope for a bipartisan agreement despite postponing a meeting with the Senate Republican leader -- but not until after next week's spring recess.
Sen. Joe Maxwell, D-Mexico, the welfare bill's sponsor, said he plans on working during next week's recess to draft a substitute bill agreeable to Senate Republican Leader Steve Ehlmann, R-St. Charles.
"I don't think our goals are that far apart," said Sen. Joe Maxwell, D-Mexico, the sponsor of the welfare bill. "He wants something moderate to conservative and I think I'm moderate to progressive. I think there is enough room in the middle."
Ehlmann said his staff is preparing a summary of the bill for him and he does not plan to review it until after the recess. However, he said he has reservations about the reform.
"Liberals created the modern welfare state," he said. "If they like the reform, its doubtful that it is real reform."
Sen. Marvin Singleton, R-Joplin, said he continues to have concerns about the bill, even after talking with Maxwell.
"He continues to change it, but I'm still concerned that we are creating a state entitlement system to replace the federal one," he said.
Maxwell said he doesn't think he will be able to reach an agreement with Singleton because he is not willing to cut spending on children.
"I hope we define an entitlement as what used to be," Maxwell said. "I do believe that the children in the state of Missouri have a right to expect to be taken care of."
On the House side, the Social Services committee heard a bill that would give relocation benefits to welfare recipients who live in high unemployment areas of the state.
The bill would provide moving costs, temporary housing and job interview and placement to welfare recipients to counties that rank in the upper 25 percentile of the lowest unemployment rate in the state.
"I don't want to leave people dangling," said Rep. Bill Boucher, D-Kansas City, the sponsor of the legislation. "They have to get a job but if there is no possible way, it is our responsibility to see that they don't just become homeless."
The Family Services Division estimates that approximately 2,100 welfare recipients would elect to relocate during the first year and that it would cost $3,325 for each participant -- for a total price tag approaching $7 million of which the federal government would cover $4 million.