Further Welfare Reform Needed
By Commissioner Tom Pauken
It’s
amazing how much bad policy gets enacted in the name of the children.
For example, illegal immigrants and drug felons currently can collect
welfare checks in Texas, even though they are theoretically
prevented from doing so.
How does this happen? They collect welfare in the name of their children.
In
my time as a Texas Workforce Commissioner, issues have cropped up
directly or indirectly in the course of my duties that shout out for
reform. For example, fixing the loopholes that allow illegal immigrants
and drug felons to collect welfare benefits in Texas should be a part
of a reform legislative agenda in 2013.
By
law, illegal immigrants cannot collect Temporary Aid to Needy Families
(TANF). But a child born to illegal immigrants is a U.S. citizen.
Current law allows the parents to apply for welfare in the name of
their children and be in control of the money doled out by the
government.
Here’s
what’s really nuts about this policy. Normally, any adult TANF
recipient must participate in the state’s work program. The key word in
TANF is Temporary. That program is designed as a short-term bridge
to work.
However,
an illegal immigrant is ineligible for employment in the United States.
So illegal immigrants can get welfare for their kids and not
participate in our work programs. In fact, the time limits the
state applies to other recipients don’t even apply to those collecting
solely for their children.
Similarly,
people who commit drug felonies may receive cash on behalf of their
children, though they may not receive it for themselves. And, they are
free to spend it in any way they see fit. We don’t need
to be subsidizing drug addicts’ habits.
It’s
time to prohibit illegal immigrants from collecting welfare on behalf
of children, or at least put a time limit on it. Further, let’s prohibit
drug felons from collecting welfare on behalf of their children.
There are better ways to benefit needy children.
Another
nonsensical policy is one that prohibits drug testing for people on
unemployment insurance. In many jobs, it’s standard operating procedure
to require drug testing before hiring and at random intervals
thereafter. Someone abusing illegal drugs is a liability in the
workplace. Yet, a person can collect Unemployment Insurance even though
their drug habit makes it unlikely that they could re-enter their
profession.
There
is a common-sense solution to this problem. If a worker were laid off
from an industry or firm where drug-testing was commonplace, they should
have to take a drug test to continue to receive unemployment
benefits.
Public
benefits should be a temporary help to people actively trying to find
work. I’m glad to see that Senator Jane Nelson has filed Senate Bill 11,
which makes many needed changes – including time limits
– to the Texas TANF program. I would encourage lawmakers to consider
some of the taxpayer-friendly proposals above in addition to the
excellent ideas in that bill.
Another
form of welfare is the state’s contracting preferences for Historically
Underutilized Businesses or HUBs. (This is a euphemism for minority- or
woman-owned businesses.) Why should someone born in Sri
Lanka or Pakistan get state contracting preferences over a native Texan
who happened to be born as a white male of European descent? The state
should get the best deal, not give out corporate welfare on the basis of
ethnicity or gender.
Texas
has made substantial progress curbing abuses in welfare and creating a
culture that rewards work. Let’s apply these common-sense reforms to
those who are welfare beneficiaries so that our state continues
to encourage work and provides a level playing field for all Texans
seeking to do business with the state.
Tom Pauken is the Commissioner Representing Employers at the Texas Workforce Commission and author of
Bringing America Home. He is also the a former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.
######
from
KBMT Channel 12 News:
Governor Perry, LT Gov David Dewhurst, and State Senator Jane Nelson urge legislature to pass welfare reform
Governor
Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst are calling on the Texas
Legislature to impose drug testing for welfare and unemployment-benefits
recipients. The measure, Senate Bill No. 11, would tie Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF and unemployment benefits to
drug-testing, while banning using public funds to buy alcohol, tobacco,
and lottery tickets.
It would also strengthen job training requirements and work to streamline the benefit payment process
District 12 State Senator, Jane Nelson pre filed
the bill for the next legislative session. Under the requirements of the
bill, everyone who applies for unemployment benefits, or TANF must go
through a drug screening and testing process. If the screening warrants
it, the applicant must submit for a drug test. If the applicant fails
the drug test, they cannot receive benefits for 12 months. But it allows
applicants to reapply after six months, if they have completed or are
enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program.
Governor Perry said, "In the case of TANF
recipients, this will help prevent tax dollars going into the pockets of
drug abusers or drug dealers and instead ensure that this money goes to
the people who truly need it."
The people who truly need it will have to perform an educational component in a streamlined exemption process.
Texas State Rep. James White explains why he
thinks this bill is the comprehensive bill the state needs, "It looks at
the total program. We're putting requirements on health and human
services to be more efficient by using some electronic means of
dispersing payments. We working to tighten those work requirements."
And when we asked people what they thought
Beaumont resident Elizabeth Wells said she agreed with the drug testing
requirements, "I think it's a good idea so the government isn't wasting
money on people that don't want to do anything with their life."
Rep. White says, "We want to make sure we're treating people with appropriateness and dignity."
Under the requirements of SB11, funding of the
drug tests would be paid for out of TANF money and if an applicant fails
the drug test 3 times, they will be ineligible for benefits for life.
Rep. White also tells 12 News HD, there is a
similar bill in the state house, HB161. If SB11 passes the Senate and
HB161 passes the house. Then they will go to joint committee, be
rewritten and that new version of the bill will then go back to both
chambers for the final vote.
