LAWMAKERS TACKLE WELFARE REFORM AT LEGISLATIVE FORUM

Reduced funding for social programs likely will be a reality soon, three members of the Missouri General Assembly agreed Friday. However, they added that state government will retain a role in addressing the problems of needy citizens.

State Sen. Jerry T. Howard, Rep. Patrick Naeger and Rep. Joe Heckemeyer spoke on the topic of welfare reform during a legislative forum at Southeast Missouri State University. Approximately 80 people -- including many in social service fields -- attended the event sponsored by the Missouri Association of Social Workers of Southeast Missouri.

When talk turns to welfare reform, people often conjure up an image of a lazy, indigent person living on the public dole. That stereotype doesn't do justice to the far-reaching aspects of public assistance, Heckemeyer said.

"Welfare is a term which encompasses many different things and is not so easy to change by adopting one piece of legislation," said Heckemeyer, who represents the 160th District.

Numerous different agencies are involved, he said, and some are very powerful and protective of their turf. He cited the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food stamp program as an example.

"If you try to bump them out of welfare you will have a fight on your hands because they like what they do," Heckemeyer said.

Welfare debate at the federal level is centered on the transfer of responsibility for social programs to the states. Funding would be provided through federal block grants.

Howard, who represents the 25th Senatorial District, said that at this point it is unclear exactly what block grants will mean for states. However, he anticipates a reduction in overall funding.

"In the end I think we will end up with less money," Howard said.

While social services are worthwhile, government needs to be selective about what it provides, Naeger said.

"I think there is a difference between a bleeding heart and someone who is compassionate about their fellow man," he said.

Social programs need to focus on the truly needy and treat all recipients equally, he added.

Naeger, representative for the 155th District, cited disparity between autism programs throughout the state. He said the program which serves Southeast Missouri helps hundreds of families and spends an average of $2,000 per client. In the St. Louis area, a much more intensive program called Giant Steps serves only 20 families but spends an average of $20,000 per client, he said.

While acknowledging the benefit of the Giant Steps program, he said such programs should be offered to everyone in need or not at all. He drew the analogy of walking into a classroom of 40 children and giving 35 a red wagon and five motorized go-carts.

"For the life of me, I can't understand why we allow those things to go on," Naeger said.

There needs to be a focus on accountability on the part of both recipients and providers, all agreed.

One way to hold recipients of public assistance accountable is to get them into the work force.

"We need to try to encourage people to develop a work ethic," Howard said.

However, he noted that the current system sometimes provides a disincentive since those who are only qualified for low-paying jobs may be worse off financially by working.

"If they don't make a sufficient wage they can't stay employed because they lose Medicaid and they lose their stipend," Howard said. "It doesn't work well."

He suggested subsidizing wages through employers in order to make the transition easier.