THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412150404
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
On the eve of the Allen administration's unveiling of its welfare-reform plan, Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr. on Wednesday questioned two key elements of the expected proposal.
Beyer, a Democrat who also has pushed for welfare reform, said he's concerned about the long-term day-care needs of welfare recipients forced to start working. And, he said, a plan to give welfare recipients 30 days to find a job is too stringent.
``Thirty days is not long enough for welfare recipients to find jobs,'' said Beyer, noting that the Virginia Employment Commission estimates it takes an average of 11 weeks to find a job.
Paying for day care ``is a huge problem, even for the middle class,'' he added.
According to early reports, Republican Gov. George F. Allen will propose making funding for long-term day-care ``contingent upon available resources.''
Kay James Cole, secretary of health and human services, said the aim of finding jobs in 30 days is a goal, not a requirement. Allen's Empowerment Commission, which she heads, also supports extended day-care benefits, she said.
Beyer said the structure of his and Allen's plans are similar. Both call for abolishing welfare for most recipients within two years.
Allen is to make his plan public today in Richmond. by CNB