Lawmakers move to compromise on welfare cuts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republican leaders of an effort to cap lifetime eligibility for a low-income cash assistance program support tweaking the proposal to apply only to new families who get benefits.

Rep. Diane Franklin, of Camdenton, told a conference committee Monday that those in the program should not necessarily be subject to a reduced limit that changes the rules midstream.

Franklin handled the House version of the measure, which would impose stricter work requirements for welfare programs and reduce the limit from 60 to 30 months.

The Senate version would cut benefits to 48 months.

The conference committee assigned to find a compromise did not take any action.

Committee chairman Sen. David Sater says he supports Franklin's idea but wants a maximum 36-month limit in that case.