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| Governor Paul LePage (R-ME) |
This week, Maine
NPR reports that Democrats in the Pine State are feeling the heat from
Mainers, fed up with welfare abuse and fraud in their state. The rampant wrong
usage with public assistance is not a new topic, as
the current governor, conservative Republican Paul LePage, himself born in
poverty, a victim of childhood abuse and neglect, yet went from street urchin
to businessman, mayor, and Governor, has routinely exposed this problem in his
home state.
NPR reports that Democrats in the Pine State are feeling the heat from
Mainers, fed up with welfare abuse and fraud in their state. The rampant wrong
usage with public assistance is not a new topic, as
the current governor, conservative Republican Paul LePage, himself born in
poverty, a victim of childhood abuse and neglect, yet went from street urchin
to businessman, mayor, and Governor, has routinely exposed this problem in his
home state.
Before taking into account the implications of these
welfare reforms, readers should know a little more about Governor LePage.
welfare reforms, readers should know a little more about Governor LePage.
One of the most plainspoken executives in the
country, LePage the gubernatorial candidate signaled to voters his disgust for
President Obama, declaring that he would tell President Obama “To go to hell”,
and if he met the President, he would respond: “Get out of my state!”
country, LePage the gubernatorial candidate signaled to voters his disgust for
President Obama, declaring that he would tell President Obama “To go to hell”,
and if he met the President, he would respond: “Get out of my state!”
His first election victory in 2010, LePage garnered
a plurality of the vote in a five-way race, which increased in 2014 following a
tough challenge from a well-known independent and an incumbent Democratic
Congressman, Michael Michaud.
a plurality of the vote in a five-way race, which increased in 2014 following a
tough challenge from a well-known independent and an incumbent Democratic
Congressman, Michael Michaud.
Throughout his tenure, however, LePage has pushed
for welfare reform, repeatedly exposing abuse connected with the program.
for welfare reform, repeatedly exposing abuse connected with the program.
In
a press release outlining reform goals for his 2012-2013 budget, LePage
declared:
a press release outlining reform goals for his 2012-2013 budget, LePage
declared:
Welfare
reform was a large part of the 2012-2013 budget, which emphasized Maine will no
longer be considered a welfare destination state. A new 5 year limit on welfare
benefits, which aligns Maine with other states, and conforms to federal law has
gone into effect. The limit does allow for certain exemptions for hardship
cases – including those involving the elderly and disabled.
reform was a large part of the 2012-2013 budget, which emphasized Maine will no
longer be considered a welfare destination state. A new 5 year limit on welfare
benefits, which aligns Maine with other states, and conforms to federal law has
gone into effect. The limit does allow for certain exemptions for hardship
cases – including those involving the elderly and disabled.
Drug
testing has also been implemented for welfare recipients convicted of drug
crimes and those who violate welfare rules now face stricter sanctions. A first
offense will result in the loss of adult benefits and a second offense may lead
to termination of full family benefits.
testing has also been implemented for welfare recipients convicted of drug
crimes and those who violate welfare rules now face stricter sanctions. A first
offense will result in the loss of adult benefits and a second offense may lead
to termination of full family benefits.
Welfare abuse features highly in some states, like
Rhode Island, where recipients can step off the government dole for a month,
then return to the welfare rolls for another five years. In California,
Democratic legislators have discussed
expanding public assistance to all residents, regardless of legal status,
including Medicaid, as well as instituting a new “Office
for New Americans” i.e. illegal aliens. LePage joins other Republican
governors in cutting public assistance, or requiring work requirements.
Rhode Island, where recipients can step off the government dole for a month,
then return to the welfare rolls for another five years. In California,
Democratic legislators have discussed
expanding public assistance to all residents, regardless of legal status,
including Medicaid, as well as instituting a new “Office
for New Americans” i.e. illegal aliens. LePage joins other Republican
governors in cutting public assistance, or requiring work requirements.
In
2013, the governor announced increased investigations into SNAP/TANF abuse. In January, 2014, LePage
outlined the outrageous spending at strip clubs and bars. Even though the
article contended that the usage was “a tiny fraction” of uses, the fact that
they are occurring alarmed the governor and reform advocates to correct the
problem.
2013, the governor announced increased investigations into SNAP/TANF abuse. In January, 2014, LePage
outlined the outrageous spending at strip clubs and bars. Even though the
article contended that the usage was “a tiny fraction” of uses, the fact that
they are occurring alarmed the governor and reform advocates to correct the
problem.
After the 2014 mid-term elections, Maine Republicans
not only took over the state senate, but gained significant numbers in the
state assembly. A Republican also represents Maine in the US Congress (replacing
Michaud) for the first time in nearly two decades.
not only took over the state senate, but gained significant numbers in the
state assembly. A Republican also represents Maine in the US Congress (replacing
Michaud) for the first time in nearly two decades.
Instead of resting on his prior victories, LePage
has ramped up his programs for welfare as well as tax reforms
has ramped up his programs for welfare as well as tax reforms
Earlier
this year, Maine Republicans reinstated the work requirements for receiving
welfare. The renewed qualifications would require recipients to work a combined
twenty-four hours a month, yet even then the number of enrollees plunged
considerably, from 12,000 to 2,500.
this year, Maine Republicans reinstated the work requirements for receiving
welfare. The renewed qualifications would require recipients to work a combined
twenty-four hours a month, yet even then the number of enrollees plunged
considerably, from 12,000 to 2,500.
Now, Democrats are paying attention, and following
LePage’s lead.
LePage’s lead.
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About the Democratic shift in welfare abuse policy, Maine
NPR writes:
NPR writes:
Gov.
Paul LePage's campaign against welfare abuse has been commonly derided by his
opponents as a "war on the poor."
But Democrats have discovered that the governor's message resonates with
voters.
Paul LePage's campaign against welfare abuse has been commonly derided by his
opponents as a "war on the poor."
But Democrats have discovered that the governor's message resonates with
voters.
Never straying from his principles or goals, LePage
maintained the message, and opened voters’ eyes to the real and growing problem
of welfare abuse. It worked.
maintained the message, and opened voters’ eyes to the real and growing problem
of welfare abuse. It worked.
While conservatives lament federal officials who
refuse to heed a national electorate fed up with special interest pandering and
Establishment machinations (i.e. the
Confirmation of Loretta Lynch), at least in the states, including a moderate-liberal
New England bastion like Maine,
Republican reform governors are cracking down on profligate spending and
helping Americans get off their feet and work again.
refuse to heed a national electorate fed up with special interest pandering and
Establishment machinations (i.e. the
Confirmation of Loretta Lynch), at least in the states, including a moderate-liberal
New England bastion like Maine,
Republican reform governors are cracking down on profligate spending and
helping Americans get off their feet and work again.
If anyone has a problem with that, let me quote
another fine line from
Governor LePage:
another fine line from
Governor LePage:
“Tell them to kiss my butt!”
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