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First They Came For Welfare Reform, And Then...

Mickey Kaus has pointed out that the ?stimulus? bill working its way through Congress would reverse one of the most significant domestic accomplishments of the Clinton administration, welfare reform. It would do so by paying states to expand their welfare roles and allowing them to avoid welfare reform?s work requirements.

And it?s not just welfare. As Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour as been pointing out, in order to receive ?stimulus? funds states might also be required to change their laws regarding unemployment compensation.

Barbour said the House-passed bill would extend unemployment benefits to people who work part-time.

?The law in our state is clear. Before you can get unemployment, you have to be ready, willing and able to work full-time,? he said.

Mississippi employers, he said, would be left with a tax increase to pay for that change once the stimulus money expires, Barbour said.

And here:

Barbour said he could envision a situation in which he would not want some of the funds because of the strings attached. He said the version of the stimulus bill that passed the U.S. House last week has provisions that could put a financial burden on Mississippi.

Under those provisions, health coverage would be greatly expanded and unemployment compensation would be awarded to some part-time workers. He said the stimulus package provides funds for the state for a couple of years, but then the state might be left to continue those expensive programs.

He called the House version "welfare state 3.0. But I don't see the Senate trying to make a statement about public policy instead of a stimulus package."

I think he probably sees it now, but the state?s Democratic legislators want to accept the money, even if it will force them to raise taxes in the future.

Full post as published by Discriminations on February 10, 2009 (boomark / email).