Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 5, 1994 TAG: 9405050172
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Allen said taxpayers and welfare recipients alike are frustrated by a system that fosters idleness and dependency.
``A helping hand,'' he said, ``should not become a paralyzing dependency on government.''
Allen gave the panel eight months to come up with a plan that requires able-bodied welfare recipients to work for their benefits, provides day care to single parents and includes incentives for getting off - and staying off - welfare rolls.
The 36-member commission includes legislators, businessmen, community leaders and three welfare recipients.
One person not named to the commission was Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, a Democrat who headed a separate panel that pushed welfare reform through the legislature this year.
Beyer said in a prepared statement released by his office, ``I welcome these new participants in our long struggle to create high expectations, set real limits and demand personal responsibility.'' .
The legislation Allen has signed into law:
Sets a one-year limit on Aid to Families with Dependent Children payments;
Provides a public-sector job in the second year, and;
Denies additional benefits to women who bear children while on welfare.
The reform package will begin as a pilot program, partly because of the cost.
Health and Human Resources Secretary Kay Coles James, who will head Allen's empowerment commission, declined to say whether future reforms will require additional state funds.
``The money is not there to get this done,'' she said. ``That's why the commission is going to challenge the community - the churches and the business community - to do their share.''
Roanoke Social Services Director Corinne Gott, who was in Richmond for the commission announcement, said she liked what Allen had to say, particularly his emphasis on day care.
Gott said most welfare recipients cannot take the first step to self-sufficiency unless someone can care for their children.
The state has cut day-care funding for Roanoke, even though there are some 100 women on the waiting list.
``I can only do as much as my day-care budget will do'' she said.
After Allen's speech, Gott walked up to James and, with a smile on her face, said, ``We're going to hold his feet to the fire.''
by CNB