KASTEN EMBROILED IN WELFARE REFORM BILL CONTROVERSY

JEFFERSON CITY - State Rep. Mary Kasten is sponsoring a controversial welfare reform bill this session, which has been criticized by some legislators and social welfare groups for penalizing children and low income families.

In an editorial, the St. Louis Post Dispatch described Kasten's bill as "mean-spirited legislation."

Under the bill, there would be no increased AFDC payment for additional children, a move designed to end an incentive for welfare mothers to have more children.

The Cape Girardeau Republican and other supporters are touting the legislation as a move toward welfare reform and making people more responsible.

Kasten argues that if families cannot afford more children they should not have them. "It's time to make people responsible," she declared. "The purpose of the bill is to discourage families from having more children if they cannot support them."

She also stressed the legislation is not designed to be punitive.

Kasten's bill had a hearing in the Social Services, Welfare and the Elderly Medicaid Committee on Jan. 20. The committee chairman has appointed a subcommittee to review some of the concerns about the plan.

Senate President James Mathewson is sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate, which he contends will end up helping children on welfare. His bill shifts the money being paid for additional children to increasing benefits for children already on welfare.

Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, a co-sponsor of Kasten's bill, said this kind of legislation represents a step toward overall welfare reform which nearly all legislators campaigned on last year.

Richardson said he expected the bill will ultimately be added as an amendment to a related piece of legislation. He also argued that it will not have a negative impact on children who need welfare benefits and should actually help families move from welfare to a status of being self-supporting.

"What this bill does is if you have one child and go on welfare, and then have a second child, you will continue to draw AFDC based on one child," said Richardson. "However, food stamps, medical care and other benefits will be provided based on two kids."

Families having a second child will not get a stipend of about $58 a month being received now.

"This is more of a message we are sending - a philosophy we are trying to change. It is not so much a dollar item but the big factor is we are finally saying there has to be some accountability and responsibility. The social welfare program has got to be a two-way street. We will help you if you will help yourself," said Richardson.

He said many of the AFDC recipients are young mothers, many in their teens. Richardson added that there are "an alarming number" of teen mothers who have a second child within 18 months of the birth of the first one.

He said this bill and other welfare reform efforts, reflect a recognition that welfare was never designed to be a permanent subsidy. "But somehow this has gradually evolved into a system were it is assumed that as a government and people we have a responsibility for young, primarily teenage, single women and we impose no accountability and responsibility on them," said Richardson.

"A welfare system with no accountability will perpetuate itself as ours has done, and will continue to do so. It makes good sense to tell young people, why put yourself in a position where when you can't support and educate one child, why have a second one?"

Both Kasten and Richardson say they are pleased that the social services committee chairman, Rep. Tommy Macdonnell, D-Marshfield, held an early hearing on the bill.

Macdonnell has indicated there are things in the bill that have merit and need to be given serious consideration this year.

"It got an early hearing and Rep. Macdonnell has said the bill merits further study. The fact he has appointed a subcommittee to work with the bill is an indication he is not afraid to deal with it," said Richardson.

"I think the concept is one we'll see working its way up the calendar."

Kasten said both her bill and the one offered by Mathewson are patterned after laws passed in New Jersey and Wisconsin. But she noted both states have just begun their programs and have not had time to collect information on results.