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For Immediate Release: July 8th, 2004 Contact: Brad Usher (c) 347-693-4640 (w) 212.490.9535 (f)
212.490.2151 ***PRESS RELEASE*** State Senator Liz Krueger
Condemns Governor’s Welfare
Proposals Albany, NY –
State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan)
today harshly criticized Governor Pataki for his “incredibly short-sighted”
welfare proposals. “These changes are
destined to do irreparable harm to the poorest New Yorkers and they will most
certainly rule out any chance of economic recovery for those most in need,”
state Senator Krueger. “It is critical
that the legislature act to eliminate these proposals from the final budget.”
Senator Krueger specifically targeted four of
Governor Pataki’s proposed changes to the public assistance program. The first proposal would alter the rules
regarding full-family sanctions, and could potentially mean the termination
of aid to an entire family if the head of household is allegedly not
in compliance with a work requirement.
Under current law, failure by the adult to follow work rules removes
them from receiving benefits. Full
family sanctions result in the children losing their benefits too. Essentially, this seeks to take food and
housing away from children. The
second change would reduce the non-shelter portion of the welfare grant by an
unprecedented 10% after a period of 1-5 years. The third proposal would reduce and then eliminate the earned
income disregard at arbitrary deadlines.
In reality, this change would penalize low-wage workers who cannot get
better paying jobs or those who have to work part time because of
disabilities or children. The final
alteration would cut the benefit of a household with a disabled family member
receiving SSI by an average of $90 per month, or over $1,000 per year. The legality of this proposal has been
questioned and some have indicated that in order for such a regulatory change
the Governor may need to introduce legislation. The entire savings projected from these cuts would be about $77
million, or less than 1.6% of the budget gap. “I understand that one of Governor Pataki’s main
objectives is to create a stable and balanced budget,” said Senator
Krueger. “But the Governor has
gone way too far this year. In his
desire to close the budget gap, the Governor plans to have poor people pay
the price, even though the cuts will have little impact upon the
deficit. We must continue to fight
to ensure the elimination of these proposals from the final budget package.” “There are multiple revenue-generating alternatives, that
have yet to be explored, that would help to balance the budget without
cutting $77 million in welfare benefits to those who can least afford to lose
it,” remarked Senator Krueger.
“For instance, we could terminate the absurd empire zone program, we
could make corporations more accountable, we could pass the bigger, better,
bottle bill, we could create a universal, single-payer health care system,
and we could improve access to emergency contraception. Each of these proposals would have
generated far more money than cutting benefits to the poorest New
Yorkers. I will continue to advocate
for a fiscal policy that does not balance the budget on the backs of those
least able to afford it.” As of March 2004, 632,773 people in New York State
received public assistance. Children
under 6 years of age make up over 40% of the state welfare caseload. Close to 70% or 436,838, of the state
welfare recipients live in New York City.
Presently, a family of 3 would receive a maximum “grant” of $691 per
month in public assistance, which includes a shelter allowance of $400 per
month. The remainder of the grant is
supposed to pay for all other expenses.
The basic allowance amount has been frozen since 1990. The grant brings a family of 3 to less
than 80% of the federal poverty level. |
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