KASTEN PUSHING WELFARE REFORM BILL

JEFFERSON CITY -- State Rep. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau is taking the lead on a Republican version of welfare reform that she says will increase responsibilities families on welfare have.

"The whole jest of this bill is we need to put some requirements and responsibilities back to the people on welfare," said Kasten, who has 42 GOP co-signers on her bill.

The main welfare reform bill being considered in the General Assembly this year is one drafted by a joint interim committee on welfare reform. Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, and Rep. James Graham, R-Fredericktown, were among the 10 members serving on the committee.

Although she was not one of the members, Kasten attended most hearings and meetings of the group, which was chaired by Sen. President James Mathewson, D-Sedalia, and Rep. Joe Maxwell, D-Mexico.

Kasten said her bill goes a bit further than the plan proposed by the interim committee, and she has discussed some of her ideas with Maxwell.

"Our bill tends to be a little more strict and a little more restrictive than the joint committee's bill," said Kasten, a Republican. "Maybe together we might be able to have a super bill. Getting something done about welfare reform is my main concern."

Kasten's bill has 14 different points, which range from requiring people on welfare to go to school or seek job training, development of pilot programs to promote local control, acknowledging paternity, and limiting some benefits.

Said Kasten: "I think the most important difference in our bill from the committee bill is that we have more issues that are trying to require responsibility. I am a firm believer that you must demand some responsibility on their part; otherwise they never assume any responsibility.

"The directions we propose, as conservatives, are that we have to try to reward work, encourage family responsibility, and try to discipline people to change their ways. Over the years with our welfare system, we have just killed people's self respect by not requiring that responsibility."

Kasten said she finds more people are tired of supporting people on welfare who are capable of working but don't. She said welfare programs must include strong incentives to help people develop the discipline to change their lives and become doers.

"I really believe that we have got to demand people get hold of their family. We have got to direct people to limit their family and to promote family stability."

Kasten's bill has been heard before the House Social Services and Medicaid Committee. Overall, Kasten said the hearing went well and the attitude of people is changing toward finding ways to reform the welfare system.

"I think everyone has realized that we have to do something," Kasten said.

Some of the provisions in the bill would eliminate the incremental benefit increase that comes in Aid to Families with Dependent Children payments for additional children, but would not penalize families on welfare for working by automatically cutting off benefits. In many instances, Kasten said, people actually make less taking jobs than they can receive in welfare benefits.

The bill provides that AFDC benefits gradually be reduced after two years for failure to enroll in job training or education programs, and benefits will be extended as necessary for those who become employed to ensure and encourage financial independence.

The bill requires that in most cases children under 18 who are unmarried and have a child must reside with a parent or other adult relative or guardian.

It also gives priority to married parents of AFDC recipients when applying for job education, training and support.

Other provisions address abuse of using hospital emergency rooms for treatment that should have been done in a physician's office and provide that income of the father be used in determining AFDC eligibility. Teenage recipients of AFDC or general relief grants would lose benefits if they do not attend school, and recipients of public assistance would be required to participate in community service projects when it is practical and available.

In counties where welfare commissions are formed, there would be local control of how state and federal funds are spent, and an effort would be made to develop an in-depth case management program to help families develop self-sufficiency.

In some cases programs in Kasten's bill would require special waivers from the federal government.

Kasten, who founded the Community Caring Council in Cape Girardeau to coordinate efforts between agencies that deal with children and families, said similar groups need to be organized around the state to see that funds are used wisely and duplication eliminated.

Shifting more control to the local level is a real key to welfare reform, she said.

"My great hope this year is that we can have a very good bill, one that serves people with needs but yet does not punish prudent people and people who are willing to work, but punishes those who do not assume their responsibility," said Kasten.