ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606280046
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
AS STATES move deeper into welfare reform, evidence mounts that genuine change is on a collision course with short-term budget-cutting:
In Florida, reforms featuring new work and education requirements in only nine counties are adding more than $30 million to annual welfare costs.
In Pennsylvania, a similar program is adding $85 million to the annual budget, to meet child-care and job-training and -placement costs.
In Wisconsin, the highly touted Wisconsin Works program will cost an additional $158 million in the first year for child care alone. Welfare costs are expected to rise from $997 million in 1997 to $1.3 billion in 1999; they are expected then to start declining - if the state's unemployment rate stays near its current, low 3.7 percent.
Over the long range, welfare reform holds out promise of big savings, both economic and social. But initally, it's cheaper just to cut another check than to turn the welfare-dependent into productive workers.
Lawmakers need to be upfront about this, both in explaining to the public that welfare reform is going to cost, and in investing the needed appropriations.
LENGTH: Short : 33 linesby CNB