Severe cuts to welfare proposed in California

[marmar]

Gov. Brown proposes big changes in CalWORKS

By Kevin Yamamura
[e-mail]

Published: Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 - 7:59 pm


As unemployed Californians struggle to find work, Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed strict rules for parents on welfare: Get a job in two years or lose nearly half of cash aid along with training and child care.

"This is not nice stuff, but that's what it takes to balance the budget," Brown said earlier this month when he released his plan, which would halve the current welfare-to-work time limit.

The governor's welfare cuts would lop nearly $1 billion off the state's $9.2 billion general fund deficit. He would prioritize employment as California faces federal penalties for having too many parents who do not work 30 hours a week.

Those who study poverty say Brown's proposal is harsh because even well-qualified workers can't find jobs in this economy. They contend that parents who max out on welfare benefits are the least equipped to join the workforce. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4190845/gov-brown-proposes-big-changes.html#storylink=scinlineshare

[sarcasmo]

1. Balance the budget on the backs of the poor instead of the rich, so sad.

[jwirr]

2. As long as Norquist's balanced budget bill stands no one is going to be able to help California.

This is terrible for the poor. How can anyone demand people get work when there is no work.