Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on November 22, 2005, to establish penalties for a welfare recipient who fails to abide by the “personal development plan” contract requirements specified by House Bill 5444. For the first violation the person would lose welfare payments for a month; for three months on a second violation; and for life for a third violation. This would not apply to disabled people or those who meet certain other requirements

The vote was 62 in favor, 45 opposed and 2 not voting

(House Roll Call 691 at House Journal 104)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Sheltrown, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: How can people on welfare deal with 3 strikes when most don't have reliable transportation and credit scoring on insurance for those that do??"

Rep. Bieda, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: This bill, part of a package of bills which was rushed through committee and to a House floor vote in almost record time, contains conflicting and illogical provisions. House Bill 5441 would tighten sanctions for instances of 'non-compliance,' without any consideration for circumstances beyond a recipient's control. What is really sad about this whole process is that we had the time to finish the work on this package and enact true reforms to Michigan's welfare system that would actually accomplish the intent of this legislation; to assist welfare recipients to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce poverty. As passed at this late hour, most of these bills fall far short of our objective. Thus, I voted 'no' on House Bill 5441."

Rep. Cushingberry, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted no on this bill because it is wrong headed and sends the wrong message, promotes crime, homelessness, despair orientation, parental abandonment, abortions, prostitution and a variety of social ills which will continue to plague our State and nation. This package would have a detrimental impact on more than 36,000 children. We are already in a crisis situation in terms of providing day care to all who need it in this State and this bill will place greater demands on this overburdened system. I remember when I was a young legislator and one of Michigan's true public servants and mentor of mine the late representative, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Social Services from Monroe Michigan in the 1977-78 session of the Michigan legislature and I visited the Vice President Mr. Lahdney and the Chairman Mr. Messe of Detroit Edison and discussed, outlined, and created the energy assistance program and how proud I was when the Governor signed the bill and we were invited to participate. Why aren't we expanding this program to protect the poor from freezing with these deplorable high energy prices. We shouldn't cut any benefits we should be trying to quadruple the number of spaces available in job training. strengthen and expand the program in the Friend of Court for job placement and have a concerted effort to provide more for children of incarcerated parents. We need to expand coverage's available in health care and consider allowing the Medicare Administration to run all the health care programs nationally including Medicaid since they are able to run said programs for a fraction of the cost in the private sector. These are some of what is needed in a true welfare reform package. The elements in this half-baked effort are a continued prescription for disaster and I can't in good conscience support this package."

Rep. Sheltrown, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I don't agree with 48 month can be arbitrarily set."

Rep. Lemmons III, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted 'no' on HB 5441 (H-3) because it would create 'three strikes and you're out' penalties, which would terminate benefits to recipients for up to 30 months for "noncompliance" with program requirements, without sufficient consideration for the circumstances of noncompliance. Noncompliance with requirements can result from circumstances which are beyond a recipient's control, such as an instance of missing work because of a transportation problem or a sick child. While stricter sanctions may have a desirable impact on recipients who are intentionally abusing the system, recipients deserve to have a determination of the circumstances for any noncompliance before their benefits are terminated."