SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY

LENGTH: 993 words

COMMITTEE: HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS

SUBCOMMITTEE: HUMAN RESOURCE

HEADLINE: WELFARE OVERHAUL PROPOSALS

TESTIMONY-BY: MARCY KAPTUR,, REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE

AFFILIATION: STATE OF OHIO

BODY:
Statement of

Marcy Kaptur, a Representative in Congress from the State of Ohio

Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the House

Committee on Ways and Means

Hearing on Welfare Reform Reauthorization Proposals

April 11, 2002

Introduction

Chairman Herger, thank you for the opportunity to speak before the Subcommittee this afternoon. Reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is one of the most important pieces of legislation that will come before Congress this session.

In 1996 the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) significantly changed federal welfare policy. During the past five years we have heard success stories about the program and there has been evidence to substantiate needed change in various aspects of the program. During reauthorization of TANF I hope that the program will be strengthened. As Representative of Ohio's 9th District, I wish to share with the Subcommittee my concerns regarding two important issues. First, the need for adequate reporting requirements for states. Second, the importance of access to education and training programs for welfare recipients and individuals attempting to leave the welfare rolls.

Reporting Requirements

Currently, states are required under law to report information about their programs in biennial TANF state plans and annual reports to document accurately information regarding individuals and families receiving assistance. However, comprehensive information on state program rules is not required, nor is information on individuals after they leave the welfare rolls.

For the past few months I have attempted to review comprehensive information to document how TANF dollars that I have voted for constituents in my district to receive are being spent in the state of Ohio. However, I have been told that reports of this nature do not exist. I have also questioned how citizens in my state are faring after they leave the welfare rolls. However, I have been told that reports of this nature do not exist. I am aware of the statistics that report families on assistance in Ohio fell 59 percent from 1994 through mid 2001, more than the national average of 53 percent. However, this data does not tell me how TANF dollars are being spent in the state of Ohio and how constituents in my district are faring after they leave the welfare rolls. Are welfare recipients getting good jobs? Are they escaping poverty? Unfortunately, we do not know the answers to these questions. The 1996 welfare law concentrated on caseload reduction. In turn, the caseloads have successfully dropped across the country. Unfortunately, we have neglected to question how people leaving the welfare rolls are faring.

I support the state reporting requirements that are proposed in Congressman Benjamin Cardin and Congresswoman Patsy Mink's bills to reauthorize the TANF program. The lack of detailed reporting requirements over the past five years has been a major barrier. Adequate state reporting requirements will allow states to serve citizens better and allow Congress to implement consistent public policy.

In 1996 the emphasis of federal welfare policy was shifted to a "work first approach," making it difficult for welfare recipients to pursue a post-secondary education. Currently, TANF provides limited access to postsecondary education opportunities. TANF law allows welfare recipients to participate in up to 12 months of vocational training and many post-secondary programs directly related to employment to count toward the work requirement. However, only 30% of a state's welfare caseload can be engaged in education and training programs at any given time.

Education and Training

Education and training programs are essential to lifting welfare recipients out of poverty and into livable wage jobs. Expanded education opportunities could enable TANF recipients to prepare for and find better paying and more stable jobs. Unemployment is at its highest rate in seven years and mass layoffs affected more than 2.5 million persons in 2001. In my home state of Ohio almost 26,000 jobs have been lost since January 2001. Skills training and continuing education are crucial links to good jobs that lead to self-sufficiency. Census data consistently show that people with higher educational attainment have higher median earnings, and several studies show that individuals with higher skills earn more and work more overtime.

According to a 2001 survey by the US Chamber of Commerce's Center for Workforce Preparation, two-thirds of employers report severe conditions when trying to hire qualified workers and one third say applicants are poorly skilled or have the wrong skills for available jobs. Ninety-four percent of Americans support expanding job training programs, according to a joint survey on poverty in America released in April 2001 by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Congress should increase access to post-secondary education. The limit on the number of months an individual may participate in post-secondary education should be expanded, and a range of education and training activities, including post secondary education, should count as work activities so recipients who need training are not restricted from receiving it. I support the language that addresses the need to expand access of post- secondary education to welfare recipients in Congressman Cardin and Congresswoman Mink's TANF reauthorization bills.

Mr. Chairman. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify before the Subcommittee. I am hopeful that during the next few months Members will actively participate in a open dialogue on important issues that must be raised during reauthorization of the TANF program, and produce a final bill that will strengthen our nation's welfare policy.



LOAD-DATE: May 1, 2002