Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 9, 1995 TAG: 9510090082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Tom E. Dalton, Galax
The background:
The clamor of middle-class Americans for someone to do something about the nation's welfare system has pushed changing the entitlement program to the political front burner. In response, Democrats and Republicans alike have rallied to the cause that concerns many taxpayers, who are tired of footing a bill for a program they view as wasteful and misused.
Virginia's new welfare plan, which took effect July 1, cuts off Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits after two years and requires recipients to begin working for their benefits within 90 days of receiving aid. In addition, welfare recipients must work a maximum of 36 hours and a minimum of 24 hours a week; recipients will receive no additional funds if they have more children once they're on welfare; and teen parents on welfare rolls must live with their parents.
The General Assembly's role:
The legislature is responsible for setting Virginia's laws relating to welfare programs.
The answers:
The question was directed to the candidates for the state Senate seat representing Montgomery, Grayson and Smyth counties, Galax, southern Pulaski County and northern Carroll County.
Pat Cupp (R): ``I believe that the taxpayers today are being penalized, and sometimes have less than welfare recipients, because, first of all, the working Americans are paying for the welfare benefits out of their hard-earned dollars, so they have less to spend. In addition, for the past 30 years, tax laws and government programs have penalized working Americans and rewarded those who do not work.
"The consequences of the above result in higher costs of health care, hospitalization and insurance premiums. I believe we must care for those who are unable to care for themselves, but able-bodied recipients of government funds should be required to work for benefits. Welfare was meant to be a temporary assistance, not a permanent way of life.
"I believe that we should continue to reform our laws to help each and every American to reach the 'American Dream.'''
Sen. Madison Marye (D): ``Providing adequate health insurance and health care in a fair and equitable manner is part of a national debate. Virginia has always been willing to help those who can't help themselves due to disability or old age. While I can understand your frustration with the inequities in the current system, there are no immediate or easy answers to your questions. Many citizens justifiably feel as you do. It certainly seems unfair that some must forfeit their homes and assets before qualifying for government-subsidized health care.
"We must consider the increased costs of broadening Medicaid and other health care entitlements. This requires that we ask some very difficult questions about the need on one hand and the tax rate on the other. For instance, should we deny benefits to the poor and impoverished or those senior citizens in need because they have no assets to contribute? At the same time, is society ready to pay the cost of making health care available to all at no charge? I don't think so.
"We must strike a balance which is both compassionate and fiscally responsible, and we are making progress. This year's General Assembly passed a law limiting the time that people can remain on welfare. Our goal is to encourage them to move to productive working lives, and I believe this is a step in the right direction. In the meantime, for most of us, there is no free ride, and we must pay our own way as long as we can."
What other candidates say:
Many Democrats in the General Assembly backed a different plan to limit welfare benefits and put those who are on welfare to work, but most ended up voting for Gov. George Allen's plan, anyway. Democrats say that's evidence they support changing welfare rules; Republicans say it's evidence they don't really believe in it and will "backslide" if they stay in power.
Got a question for the candidates? Send it to Citizens' Agenda, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010, or fax it to 981-3346 or e-mail dyanceyinfi.net. Please include your name, address and daytime phone number and specify which candidates your question is for.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB