Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on September 20, 2006, to impose a 48 month lifetime limit on cash welfare payments to able-bodied recipients (with a number of exceptions), and establish recipient tracking, work and training requirements that conform with the limit. A one-year extension could be granted under certain conditions, such as a mother with a child under age three. Sanctions would be imposed on recipients who fail to comply with work and training requirements (three months of no benefits for the first two failures, and one year for a third violation). The bill establishes more exceptions to the sanctions and the four-year cap than previous time limit legislation vetoed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Exceptions include mothers of a child less than age three, people who are temporarily disabled, or when the county unemployment rate exceeds nine percent. The four-year cap would not be retroactive

The vote was 61 in favor, 41 opposed and 8 not voting

(House Roll Call 1133 at House Journal 89)

Click here to view bill details.

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: Happy Holidays to Michigan families struggling to survive. The outgoing House leadership continues it's assault on the poor. This bill presented to us within the past several hours has not been reviewed thoroughly and the substitute requires more than the cursory deliberation afforded members today. In the budget process we learned there are really no 'able ­ bodied' slothfully in receipt of our meager welfare benefits. Persons who are disabled, mentally and physically not covered in the myriad of other programs and families with children are who this is bill affects. This is not a requirement of any Federal law since the Governor's JET program is not truly implemented and it should be given an opportunity to succeed. We need to take more time and carefully review such a drastic change in policy, especially since the national policy continues to ship jobs overseas Earlier this year we passed further earned income tax credits for the working poor but this bill seems to fly against that positive development. The 67% income disregard could end up lowering the amount of income disregarded for those who need it the most (i.e. earn least, for example working mothers, those just transitioning back into the work force etc.). This form of operation is the worst way to legislate, because it denigrates the appropriations process, and continues to weaken the committee system, a time honored and well proven tradition of the Michigan Legislature."

48 months is to long, they should be allowed 18 months over their lifetime, with no exceptions. I personally am tired of paying for people who constantly find new ways to scam people out of their hard earned money. Everyone should have to get jobs, no matter what, their are numerous work at home jobs disabled people could do to earn in income. Taxes are already through the roof, I personally would love to see Welfare totally stopped. Do not try to eak through life on the success of others, and guess what, I am a hardworking individual who works hard 24/7. I didn't make money by sitting back collecting it off hard working americans. I went to college, and by the way, I dare you to say I cannot afford college, well their are so many programs to help people out with this it's not funny. My point STOP BEING LAZY AND WORK!

to all people who are unemployed: you all need to get a paper and get a classified ad and find a job and get a real life and keep youself busy and stop getting welfare checks it is a waste of tax dollars and you are just lazy and you need to get a job.