Stateline Headlines

Wyoming governor signals support for homeless help

Welfare-To-Work Can Benefit Kids, Study Finds

A new report on an experimental welfare-to-work program released Tuesday (June 10) suggests that putting poor mothers to work can have a positive effect on the well-being of their children as long as their family receives adequate work supports and their income rises above the poverty level.

Wisconsin Leads In Extending Jobless Aid

Wisconsin, which pioneered financial aid for out-of-work citizens, is extending unemployment benefits for up to eight additional weeks to workers laid off on or after March 11th, 2001.

Wisconsin Welfare Success Eludes Hmong, Study Shows

The Hmong people of Southeast Asia were among America's most loyal allies in the Vietnam War. Forced from their homeland by the communist takeover, they fled in droves to U.S. resettlement centers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California. Readjustment has not been easy for the Hmong -- and now a new study suggests that Wisconsin's welfare success could be another tragedy in the making for these displaced people.

Wisconsin's 'BadgerCare' Stumbles On Popularity, Rising Costs

Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson has built a name for Wisconsin on the issue of welfare reform. As he often notes, the Democratic administration of President Bill Clinton often has copied Wisconsin welfare reform ideas and policies. But Thompson's "BadgerCare" Program, which provides health insurance for the working poor, is having its problems. These stem from the program's popularity and rising costs.

States Coach Welfare Recipients In How To Keep Their Jobs

As welfare to work programs become more deeply rooted, states are trying to assure that people who used to be on public assistance are able to keep earning a paycheck. The state of Washington is a pioneer in tracking the success of former welfare recipients, but a number of other states also have follow-up programs. For more information, click on

Anatomy of a Backlog: How Vermont Fell Behind on Adult Protective Services

PART TWO OF THREE: State systems to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect are straining under growing caseloads and budgets that don't keep pace with the amount of work. Vermont's backlog of 733 open or unassigned cases highlights the depth of the challenges.

Food Tax on Chopping Block

Shoppers in four states -- Mississippi, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming -- soon may be paying less at the supermarket checkout counter, thanks to reduced taxes on groceries.

Texas' struggling Rio Grande Valley pushes for Medicaid expansion

Charitable Choice: Welfare Money and the First Amendment

As Texas Gov. George W. Bush travels the country on his quest for the White House, he preaches the power of faith and invites religious organizations to double their efforts against poverty. He says the government will help foot the bill. In Texas, the purse strings have begun to loosen, but the groups Bush praises in his speeches are among the most reluctant to join forces with the state. In this second story in a series of three, stateline.org looks at some of the obstacles in the path of compassionate conservatism.

Bush's Campaign Centerpiece An Unfinished Work In Texas

When presidential hopeful George W. Bush unveiled his philosophy of "compassionate conservatism" in Indianapolis in July, he pledged that his administration would look first to "faith-based" groups and other charities to help those in need. In Fort Worth, Texas, where three religious groups are using government dollars to help women move off the welfare rolls and into jobs, many advocates for the poor welcome the governor's call to action. But it also makes them nervous. In this final installment of a three-part series, stateline.org looks at support for Charitable Choice in Texas.

States Suing Feds Over Seniors' Rx Costs

Fifteen states want the U.S. Supreme Court to block the federal government's plan to bill them for a portion of costs for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit passed by Congress. The states call the law "an unprecedented intrusion into each state's sovereignty."

Delegates Speak: Texas on Illegal Drugs

Texas delegate Rey Trevino Wed. Aug. 28, 2008 12 p.m. EDTQ. What serious issue in your state would you like the next president to address?Highway 35 is the drug corridor in Texas, which means we're using local tax dollars to pay for enforcement. All those drugs are going to places like Ohio and Illinois. This is a national issue, not a Texas issue. -Texas delegate Rey Trevino, 51, of Lytle, engineer, interviewed by Stephen C. Fehr, Stateline.orgComments

Budget cuts to reduce unemployment benefits

Poverty Rate Increases in Most States

The nations economic slowdown fueled an increase in the poverty rate in most states last year, with the greatest jumps in Utah and South Carolina.

R.I. Senate passes "Back to Work R.I."

Activists Aim to Bolster Rhode Island’s Homeless Bill of Rights

After passing the nation’s first Homeless Bill of Rights this year, Rhode Island activists are looking to defend its provisions and expand their campaign to other parts of the country.

Senators: Does Pennsylvania welfare system weed out terrorists?

Pa. Welfare Department disputes Medicaid analysis

Pennsylvania Ends its General Assistance Program

Budget cuts force an end to Pennsylvania’s General Assistance Program

Welfare Crisis Looms in Pennsylvania

Taped to a wall where Tanya McFadden waits for her caseworker is a somber reminder of how far welfare reform has come in Pennsylvania. "One Check Left," the sign says. For McFadden and thousands of others like her, March spells the beginning of the end. Statewide, 37,734 adults -- mostly single mothers -- will hit their two-year limit for public assistance. Under Pennsylvania law, they are required to work for 20 hours a week, or else lose welfare benefits for the whole family. Some 25,876 of them, nearly 70 percent, live in the Philadelphia area.

Summary of the Pennsylvania Executive Budget Address

In his last executive budget address, term-limited Democratic Gov. Edward G. Rendell Feb. 9 proposed a controversial tax plan that would trim the sales tax rate, but apply it to more goods and services. His $26.3 billion budget proposal includes $2.7 billion in federal stimulus money and assumes continued federal help with health care expenses.

A Growing Pile of Debt for State Unemployment Insurance Programs

A majority of states are borrowing more federal funds for their unemployment programs than ever before. With stimulus money set to expire, the consequences may be severe.

Oregon Food Stamp Use Surges, Leads Nation

TODAY'S TAKE: New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that nearly a fifth of all Oregon residents received food stamps between 2009 and 2010, the highest rate in the country.

What Welfare Cutbacks Say About the Wisdom of Block Grants

Welfare isn't a big item in state budgets, but it's an easy one to go after because the states are in charge. Trimming Medicaid is much more complicated: The federal government has a veto.

White House: More than 2,200 Oklahoma victims registered with FEMA for assistance

Changes to Unemployment System Could Be in the Offing

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Contained in a tentative congressional deal to extend the federal payroll tax cut are possible changes to the unemployment insurance program in the states.

Food stamps and ice cream shaping farm bill in Congress

Ohio Paring Welfare Rolls With Tough Three-Year Limit

A new federal law limits Americans to five years on welfare, but some states have enacted tougher limits and Ohio is one of them. In fact, the Buckeye State's new three-year cap on welfare payments has begun to jettison welfare recipients from Ohio's rolls.

Turning lives around, and saving the state money

New York divorce law moves closer to overhaul

New York Welfare Numbers Surprise Experts

New York was hit hard economically as well as emotionally by the devastating 9/11 attacks, which came just as the state was feeling the effects of the national recession. Thousands of people lost their jobs and businesses shut their doors. Yet state officials say the number of people leaving the welfare rolls, which have shrunk by more than one million people over the last seven years, continues to drop.

Food Banks Drawing Statewide Attention

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Emergency food banks are attracting increased interest from state officials this year, but what many of them would like is more money.

NM governor to unveil newest Heart Gallery exhibit

Welfare Rolls Up, Benefits Down in Some States

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Some states are scaling back welfare benefits just as more of their residents are seeking them, a new report says.

Number of poor children in New Jersey is rising, study finds

Christie Proposes to Slash Medicaid in New Jersey

HEALTH BEAT: Governor's plan would drop 23,000 adults who are currently receiving coverage. The federal government would have to approve the change in eligibility rules.

Summary of the New Hampshire State of the State Address

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) has asked lawmakers to change the state's unemployment benefits so they could pay for on-the-job training for new workers, give unemployment benefits to employees whose hours are reduced and help job applicants evaluate their skills.

States Consider Covering Parents Under CHIP Program

Last month, President Clinton proposed spending $76 billion over 10 years to provide health care benefits to approximately 4 million of the nation's estimated 44 million uninsured citizens. He wants to allow matching grants to cover uninsured parents of children eligible for states' Children's Health Insurance Programs, or CHIP. The proposal has caught the attention of the nation's governors. Wisconsin already covers parents of CHIP-eligible kids using matching Medicaid funds.

Baby Boomers Augur Old Age, New Needs

In little more than five years, the oldest members of the baby boom generation will turn 65, causing alarms in some quarters about a retirement tsunami that will challenge state policy planners severely. But many experts believe the impact of this demographic shift on budgets and services won't be as negative as doomsayers claim.

Kids and Us: Groundbreaking Experiment

Just as the Christmas season celebrates a very special child's birth, it's hard to disagree that children -- even from our poorest families -- are a national treasure and our shared future.

Beyond Pork Barrel: An Ingenious New Way to Rebuild America

You have to wonder: If Katrina and its multibillion-dollar bill to repair faulty levees haven't awakened us to our massive national infrastructure deficit, what will?

Canada Rx Programs Find Few Takers

O Canada! Home of ice hockey, Molson beer and the answer to some U.S. politicians' prayers for a cheap, reliable source of brand name prescription drugs.

How Katrina Keeps on Hurting

Katrina keeps on hurting. America's most vicious storm in a century left hundreds of thousands homeless, incurring its deepest scars on the lives of the poor.

Battle Brews as States Try to Cut Rx Prices

This November California could become the third state to use its muscle to make prescription drugs cheaper for average citizens without insurance. The innovative approach already is used by Maine, and to a lesser extent Ohio, and could be a model for other states trying to combat high drug prices.

Voters in Seven States Weigh Ballot Measures

Voters in California, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington will vote on 39 statewide ballot measures Tuesday (Nov. 8)—the same day that New Jersey and Virginia will hold gubernatorial and state legislative elections.

California Next to Decide Unions' Role in Politics

Voters in California will decide Tuesday whether to restrict political spending by public sector unions, such as firefighters, teachers and state workers. The proposal, being pushed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is similar to laws already on the books in Idaho, Ohio, Michigan, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, which have experienced different results.

California Says 'No' to Arnold

California voters sent a resounding message to Arnold Schwarzenegger at the polls this week, rejecting all four initiatives of his "reform agenda" and prompting a contrite response from the once high-riding celebrity governor. The vote signaled Schwarzenegger may have his work cut out for him next year when he seeks re-election.

White House Seeks State Aging Solutions

On the brink of the first baby boomers turning 60, the White House is about to assemble 1,200 state delegates to focus on ways state aging departments, the private sector and federal officials can gird for the nation's much-heralded retirement stampede.

High Gas Prices Could Chill Lottery Fever

The nationwide rise in gas prices has several state lottery directors concerned that some motorists who are paying more at the pump are now short the pocket change they used to wager trying to strike it rich. Anecdotal evidence is popping up across the country that rising gas prices—particularly the September spike that followed Hurricane Katrina - are causing some gas station patrons to take a pass on purchasing state lottery tickets.

States Adjust Disaster Plans for Elders

Drawing a lesson from this year's deadly hurricane season, state aging departments and emergency planners are updating their disaster playbooks to ensure that senior citizens are not left behind. Under review are nursing home evacuation procedures and state registries of at-risk elders.

States Abstain From Federal Sex Ed Money

It isn't often that states turn down federal dollars. But Maine is joining California and Pennsylvania as the only states to reject federal funding for sex education programs that teach only abstinence.

Battle Looms Over Drug Payments

More than half of the states expect to face higher costs next year when the federal government begins paying prescription drug costs for 6.4 million elderly people whose pharmacy bills had been paid in part by the states. States had hoped the 2003 Medicare reform law would save them money, but now fear newly required payments to Washington DC will swamp savings. Kentucky has announced plans to sue over the required payments, and other states could soon follow suit.

Not Just for Men Anymore

More women are being sent to prison now than ever before. Nowhere is this trend more evident than in Oklahoma, which has led the nation in its rate of female incarceration for eight of the last nine years. Experts worry this increase in female inmates—many of whom have children—could lead to a cycle of crime in the family.

Poor States Score Better on New Report

Massachusetts students still outperform the nation, but perennial underachievers such as Oklahoma and Louisiana scored above average when student poverty rates are taken into account, according to a new analysis of national standardized test scores. The report identifies states that perform well despite more challenging student populations.

Elders Donate Their Cars, Get Free Rides

An innovative program in Portland, Maine, offers one solution for improving transportation options for the elderly, a problem of increasing importance to states as the baby boom generation ages. In return for donating their cars, seniors receive a number of free rides, based on the value of their vehicle.

Rising Revenue Turns States' Fiscal Tide in '05

2005 could go down as the year states finally emerged from one of the worst fiscal droughts in history. Revenues met or exceeded expectations in every state during fiscal 2005, according to a survey of state finances released Dec. 20 by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers.

Congressional Cuts Leave Govs in Tight Spot

Budget-cutting measures passed by the U.S. Senate with the help of Vice President Dick Cheney Wednesday (Dec. 21) could hit states squarely in the pocketbook just as they find themselves out of the woods of an economic slowdown.

States Eye Linking Public Assistance, Drug Tests

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Recipients of certain benefits would have to pass drug tests under proposals pending in 27 states … Job training programs are slashed in the recent federal budget deal … Two more states ban late-term abortions because of "fetal pain," and other social policy news.

Minimum Wage Issue Heats Up

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: The New Hampshire Legislature wants to make sure its state minimum wage is never higher than the federal rate - something that some lawmakers in Missouri, Nevada and Wyoming had tried to do this year, but were unsuccessful.

Social Programs Could Get Axed

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Deep cuts to programs that serve the poor or disabled are on the table in California, Iowa, Massachusetts and Washington … States will have to start paying interest on the billions they borrowed from the federal government to continue paying out unemployment benefits … The shooting in Tucson renews debate about state mental health services, and other social policy news.

Community Groups Balk at Cuts in Obama's Budget

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: President Obama's budget puts the squeeze on social programs, drawing fire from community groups ... Maine investigates the distribution of weatherization funds ... Connecticut considers an earned income tax credit, and other social policy news.

Social Programs Targeted in State Cutbacks

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Deep social service cuts are being proposed by most governors ... Indiana finds money for its strapped unemployment insurance fund ... Delaware invests in financial literacy, and other social policy news.

'Food Hardship' an Issue in 21 States, Report Says

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: At least one in five Americans in 21 states struggled to afford enough food for themselves and their families last year, a new report says ... Minnesota eyes a plan to get investors to fund social services ... California and Kentucky have cut more funds from mental health programs since 2009 than any other states, and more social policy news.

Half the States Flunk on Child Care Protections

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Half of the states earn a failing grade when it comes to child care center protections and oversight, says a new report ... Food stamp usage is soaring in Western states ... Charities in Michigan worry about losing donations under a plan that would eliminate tax breaks, and other social policy news.

Workers' Comp Systems Getting Stricter

States are changing the rules for employees claiming benefits as a result of injuries suffered on the job.

Mo. bill would expand adoption subsidy recipients

Missouri is failing to protect at-risk children

Missouri social services agency loses two top officials in a week

Missouri’s social service director resigns

Two years later: progress after Joplin tornado

Want to judge the legislative session? Ask the kids

Missouri bill would restrict use of welfare at liquor stores, casinos

Legislation to curb Missouri welfare fraud sent to governor

Lawmakers advance foster care provision

Missouri Next to Cut Jobless Benefits

TODAY'S TAKE: Michigan this week became the first state to reduce state-level unemployment benefits. Now, Missouri is the first to opt out of a program that provides more federal money for the jobless. About 10,000 workers will be affected, starting next week.

Mississippi Poor Leave Welfare, But For What?

If the overhaul of the nation's welfare system meant poor families would replace public aid with paychecks, that has not occurred in Mississippi. If welfare reform meant states would make investments to help people move from welfare to work, that has not happened either. Under former Republican Gov. Kirk Fordice, Mississippi did not reform welfare, it practically dismantled it. A new administration headed by Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove is moving to change things, but given the state's historical apathy toward its poorest citizens, it's unclear if the effort will succeed.

Southern, Western States Lag In Preventing Hunger

A report released this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture draws a map of a United States rimmed along the south and west by hunger, but increasingly plump and prosperous as you look north and east. As expected of the state that recently captured the unenviable title of the nation's poorest, New Mexico claims the highest rate of hunger. The upper Midwest boasts the most success in feeding the needy.

Minnesota's Welfare Program Shows Dramatic Results

A report released Wednesday shows that Minnesota's plan for weaning long-term recipients off welfare has led to one of the largest drops in poverty among single-parent families ever recorded. Minnesota's program also increased the proportion of recipients that got or stayed married, "the first hard evidence" that a welfare program can promote two-parent families, the report says.

States Use Red Tape To Shrink Food Stamp Program

To determine how much in food stamps a family can receive, some states want to know what a child earns from a paper route or part-time job. A handful go so far as to demand information on the sale of personal items, including blood, from food stamp applicants. By using unnecessarily long applications and intrusive questions, states are preventing needy families from obtaining food assistance, a study released Monday by the national anti-hunger organization, America's Second Harvest, found.

Index of 'Caring' Puts Minnesota On Top

Minnesota ranks as the most caring state in the nation, according to a report released last week by the United Way. In the first report of what it promises will be an annual series, the United Way of America, the national association of local non-profit service organizations, has compiled an index of factors it believes reflect Americans' "capacity to care for one another."

Twenty-Seven States Win Awards For Welfare Successes

Twenty-seven states will share $200 million in performance bonuses from the federal government for successfully moving welfare recipients into work. President Clinton announced the awards Saturday. Minnesota showed the best performance, ranking in the top ten in three out of four categories.

Michigan Republicans seek new limits on welfare aid

Michigan Firm Bucks Negative Welfare Trend

Six years after sweeping welfare reform legislation began moving hundreds of thousands of people off welfare, many former recipients are failing to stay employed and work themselves out of poverty. But an innovative welfare-to-work program created by a Michigan plastics manufacturing firm is bucking that trend by achieving record-breaking success in helping people become independent of public assistance.

Extra Support Helps Welfare-to-Work Program Succeed

Michigan has reduced its welfare rolls by nearly 70 percent in the last six years by helping people on public assistance find jobs and by providing services like childcare to make sure they stay employed. In the second installment of a two-part profile of one of the states most successful welfare-to-work initiatives, Stateline.org looks at how a plastics company helped one welfare recipient become self-sufficient.

State Jobless Funds Are Running Dry

As claims for benefits rise because of the economic downturn, many states are trying to figure out how to pay unemployed workers.

In Michigan, State Lawmakers Approve Four-Year Cap on Welfare Benefits

TODAY'S TAKE: Nearly 13,000 Michigan families will lose monthly benefit checks averaging $515 starting in October after state lawmakers approved a four-year cap on welfare.

Michigan Debates Four-Year Lifetime Limit on Welfare

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Michigan's proposal would exempt the welfare limit in cases of incapacity or hardship … Louisiana casinos will begin withholding the winnings of parents who owe back child support … New York and West Virginia take home the most government aid per person, and other social policy news.

Progress made in welfare changes, Patrick administration says

GOP pushes amendments to curb welfare abuse

In Massachusetts, Mobilizing Private Investment for Public Good

Massachusetts to tap private investors who want to help pay for money-saving public programs

For Universal Health Care, Two States Push Big Plans

Massachusetts and California are trying to move forward with major health insurance expansion efforts that will be closely watched around the country.

Massachusetts Explores 'Social Impact Bonds'

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Should investors be allowed to fund and make money off social programs? Massachusetts is considering the idea, known as "social impact bonds."

As Funds Dwindle, Governors Ask for Heating Help

Rising heating costs coupled with increased austerity in Congress could leave many low-income Americans out in the cold this winter, 13 state governors warned this week.

As States Debate Medicaid Expansion, Maine Governor Looks to Cut Rolls

Maine Governor Paul LePage appears poised for a head-on collision with the Obama Administration over the issue of Medicaid eligibility. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s health care ruling last month — the federal government cannot take away existing Medicaid funds to penalize states that refuse to expan

States Laud Maine Court Decision

In a ruling heard from Maine to Hawaii, a federal judge on Monday (2/25) gave a boost to states looking to curb rising prescription drug costs. More specifically, U.S District Judge Ricardo Urbina said Maine could continue with a project which offers prescription drugs to poor people, shutting down for the moment a challenge from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

Maine Welfare Mom Defies Stereotypes

Heidi Hart grew up in a family that got food stamps and government-supplied commodities like powdered milk, peanut butter and large blocks of cheese. Then she became a mom at age 16. Nine years later, Hart has a college degree and is happily raising a 9-year-old daughter . She works at a child and substance abuse prevention program in Maine and has plans to go to law school or get a master's degree. How did she do it? Hart had something that welfare moms in many other states don't have.

Maine's Approach To Prescription Drugs Draws National Attention

Legislators in 20 states have announced efforts to lower prescription drug prices in present and upcoming legislative sessions. Joined by labor leaders and senior citizen activists, legislators announced plans to model their efforts after a law passed in Maine five weeks ago that established the nation's first program where the state negotiates prescription drug prices for residents.

Child Support Collections Dip, Except in Louisiana

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Most states are seeing declines in child support collections, but not Louisiana … The number of unauthorized immigrants goes down in Colorado, Florida and New York … Teen birth rates remain steady everywhere except in West Virginia, and other social policy news.