- WA gov announces $51M in cuts to state welfare, By Rachel La Corte (AP), August 12, 2010, Seattle Times: “Fewer people will qualify for a state welfare program that provides child care subsidies and help finding a job under cuts announced by Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday. She said that at least $51 million is being cut from WorkFirst, the state’s welfare-to-work program, because while enrollment continues to rise, matching funds from the federal government have remained flat since the 1990s. The program, started in August 1997, helps low-income families with support and training in getting and keeping jobs, offering things like monthly stipends and child care subsidies. Most of the cuts will come from granting fewer extensions to families who reach the five-year time limit and lowering the income eligibility for the child care subsidy. Other cuts will be made to employment, education and training services…”
- Gregoire: $51M to be cut from state welfare aid, By Brad Shannon, August 13, 2010, Tacoma News Tribune: “Gov. Chris Gregoire asked state government agencies to get ready for across-the-board budget cuts of 4 percent to 7 percent as soon as October and ordered a phase-in of $51 million in cuts to state welfare aid. Gregoire painted a gloomy scenario, with state budget reserves now totaling just $72 million for the remaining 10 months of the budget cycle. The money cushion could disappear if revenue forecasts in September and November show further tax losses, which Gregoire said Tuesday she expects…”
Day: August 13, 2010
Stimulus and TANF Emergency Funds – Nebraska
Nebraska has yet to sign up for stimulus funds to help low-income residents, By Nancy Hicks, August 13, 2010, Lincoln Journal Star: “Nebraska is one of two states that have not signed up to get federal stimulus money intended to help low-income residents with things such as paying back rent and buying school clothes. The state could get from $6.34 million to as much as $28.7 million, but it must apply before the end of the month. The money can be put in the hands of low-income families to help keep them off cash assistance, to keep them from being evicted or to help with job training, said state Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha. ‘It is a great way to stimulate the economy and help those families out in tough times,’ he said. State leaders, who for several weeks had been saying they were reviewing the issue, said Thursday they will apply for money…”
Jobs Bill and Aid to the States
- States to receive $26 billion in aid for teachers, Medicaid, By David Lightman, August 10, 2010, Miami Herald: “States will get $26.1 billion in the next few months so they can open their school years with fewer layoffs and help pay health care benefits for the poor. The House of Representatives approved the new spending Tuesday by a 247-161 vote, and President Barack Obama signed it soon after. The money should begin flowing in time for school systems to rehire and retain teachers early in the school year, which already is under way in some parts of the country. The school money, $10 billion aimed at preserving education jobs, should be available to the states no later than 45 days after the federal Education Department approves a state’s application. The department estimates that about 161,000 education jobs would be saved, but some state officials aren’t so sure…”
- Aid helps states escape layoffs, but for how long?, By Beth Fouhy (AP), August 13, 2010, Arizona Daily Star: “Cash-strapped states from Maine to Hawaii are tearing up the pink slips _ for now _ relieved that the $26 billion state aid bill passed by Congress this week has saved hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide. But it might be the last time the federal government comes to the rescue. The legislation is a stopgap for long-term budget problems, letting states put off hard choices at a time of record federal deficits. While appetite for such cash infusions is wearing thin, some analysts say the latest package is essential to preserving the fragile economic recovery.