by Roslyn Moran

Created on: September 22, 2011   Last Updated: September 27, 2011

There are many pitfalls of Welfare reform.  Here in Michigan we are losing our tax base for the funding of many need-based Welfare benefits to the poor now in 2011.  Until we can increase our tax base here in Michigan we will continue to modify and monitor Welfare benefits. We all know that with less business and less employment activity there is less revenue earned by the State.

Along with Welfare reform are Welfare cuts in benefits. Our Governor, Rick Snyder, is already beginning to trim the Michigan State’s budget for the new fiscal year beginning October 1, 2011. It is his fiscal responsibility to balance the State’s budget for the next fiscal year. The Welfare funding is maxed out with available tax revenues for the year. There are cutbacks across the table including those of State Welfare. It is the State's fiscal responsibility to trim Welfare aid where possible.

With the economic slowdown there is less opportunity for the funding of such programs. With this in mind many may leave the State of Michigan for greener pastures elsewhere. There is a law cutting aid to single parents of children, 4 or older, of their ‘cash assistance’.  There is a law of cutting Welfare ‘home assisting aids’.  There is a law of cutting ‘food stamps’ to those with an automobile worth $15,000.00 or more and/or a $5,000.00 savings account.

What are these Welfare recipients going to do without their funding? Without the Welfare safety net, single Mothers are turning to their partners for payments. And, as a result, the ‘deadbeat’ fathers are jailed for lack of child support payments. My housekeeper sighted many mothers with children moving out this month before the October 1, 2011 deadline at her trailer park. She also sighted at her trailer park the arrest of ‘deadbeat’ fathers too that are behind on their child support payments.

With work outages there are less State funds available for use by the Michigan Welfare System. There are many pitfalls of Welfare reform laws. Maybe you will know someone at church or in your family that will be affected by it. This is only the beginning of the new Welfare reform laws. And, next year there will be ‘new laws’ on the table to further cut the Welfare recipient. 

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