WELFARE REFORM BILLS ARE A STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION

Welfare reform is not a new-fangled notion, but the theme of change that permeated last November's elections has given this reform movement new weight. State Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, is sponsoring a welfare reform bill that has stirred controversy. The bill has been criticized as penalizing children and low-income families.

Kasten answers the charges with common sense; she says families should not have more children if they can't support them. "It's time to make people more responsible," she maintains.

Her bill would eliminate increased AFDC payments for additional children. That would remove the incentive of some young mothers to have more children as a way to increase state benefit payments. Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff and co-sponsor of Kasten's bill, says an alarming number of welfare moms have a second child within 18 months of the first one.

Welfare reform is not a partisan issue. Evidence of that is the fact Senate President Jim Mathewson, a Democrat, is sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate. His bill would shift money being paid for additional children to increasing benefits for children already on welfare.

Under Kasten's proposal, additional children are not forgotten. They would still receive food stamps, medical care and other benefits. The bill would also give incentives for mothers on welfare to work. It would raise the amount of money the mother could make without losing benefits for her children.

Under these proposals, the message may be more important than the money. The payment lost is not substantial: about $58 a month for a second child. But the message should be clear: the philosophy of welfare is to provide short-term help to families and children, not a lifetime commitment. Too many families pass this welfare legacy from generation to generation.

In criticizing Kasten's bill, some people have gone so far as to say the legislation is "mean-spirited." Anyone who knows Kasten and her commitment to children would realize this is sheer bunk. She has worked tirelessly to aid children through the Community Caring Council and through legislation.

Five years ago, Kasten organized the council to coordinate efforts among nearly 40 agencies that help families and children. It has been cited as a national model for this type of cooperation. The council was formed out of Kasten's frustration with the system. This group promotes cooperation among social service agencies, churches, business and schools to eliminate duplication and gaps in service, and promote creative ways to help people help themselves. These are not the actions of a person interested in hurting families and children.

Welfare is not working in America. Reform will take tough proposals that address complex problems. These bills may not be the answer to welfare reform in Missouri, but they are certainly a step in the right direction. Through informed discussion, suitable welfare compromise can one day be achieved.