Fighting the Poverty Cycle in America
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The problem with our welfare program, as it stands today is that it disincentives work by keeping people on programs who have fallen on hard times and wastes taxpayer dollars on bureaucratic inefficiencies. Last week, Speaker Paul Ryan rolled out the first part of the “Better Way” plan, to combat poverty and promote upward mobility for all Americans, regardless of circumstances of their birth. Here are some of the highlights of the plan:
Work Requirements: Since finding work is the critical first step for getting out of poverty, the plan includes reforms to programs to include work requirements and give states the ability to repackage benefits to fit specific needs of individuals and families.
Education: To truly break the cycle of poverty, we need to ensure a generation born into poverty has the chance to succeed and break out. This plan includes policies to promote early childhood development, improve childhood nutrition programs, enhance workforce development and reform financial aid.
Planning for the future: We also must ensure individuals and families are taking the necessary steps to plan for the future. As part of this plan, we want to expand the access to basic banking services and reign in regulations that limit consumer choice.
Accountability: The last piece to improve the welfare system is opening up the system to make it more accountable and collaborative. This means promoting competition among states and shutting down programs that do not show positive results.
More information about this plan can be found at www.better.gop. If you have questions or comments about this or any other issue facing the federal government, I invite you to call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2015, Hilliard office at (614) 771-4968, Lancaster office at (740) 654-2654 or Wilmington office at (937) 283-7049. |
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