Keeping a legislative eye on welfare reform.

• Author: Tweedie, Jack

Legislators want to have more of a hand in shaping welfare policy than simply appropriating the funds. Here's how a few states are doing it.

In the past few years, most state legislatures have adopted sweeping reforms of their welfare programs aimed at creating a work-based system. They took a more assertive role with governors and welfare agencies to transform these programs. In a number of states, legislatures raised concerns about the effects of reform on poor children and families and the critical importance of providing adequate support services for those trying to find work.

They insisted on establishing programs to create jobs, ensure adequate child care for parents required to work, continue basic education programs for those without high school diplomas, and provide transportation to get recipients to work and their children to child care. At the same time, they supported work requirements and time limits to motivate people to work.

In short, state legislatures have played a critical role in setting up a new welfare system that both requires recipients to work and provides the necessary preparation and support that give people a better chance to succeed.

Legislators recognize that welfare reform is a work-in-progress. States are still figuring out how to get recipients into adequate jobs so they can support their families. Although the executive has the primary responsibility for welfare reform, state legislatures still have a critical role. Their lawmaking, appropriation and appointment powers remain critical to the success of the programs. Legislatures need to develop a way to monitor programs. Legislators concerned with the effects of work requirements and time limits are struggling with how to keep tabs on the recent changes and ensure that parents have incentive and opportunity to work and that poor children are adequately protected.

SUCCESS IN FLORIDA

Florida's approach, the Work and Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency (WAGES) program, has provided a model for other states. From the beginning, Florida legislators recognized the importance of continuing involvement. In the words of Senate President Toni Jennings, a primary sponsor of the legislation, "We were all over it. We recognized that reforming welfare would be a continuing responsibility. We set up the WAGES board to direct implementation, but we planned on legislators and staff remaining directly involved. We set up interim projects to deal with critical issues so that we...