Mass. Coalition for the Homeless provided this factsheet and advocacy information:
On Wed., 11/6, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will debate their version of the welfare reform bill, House Bill 3737, focused on changing the state’s Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program (TAFDC). The Coalition and many partner agencies are very concerned that the bill proposed by the House Committee on Ways and Means contains many punitive and counter-productive elements that will not help families exit poverty.
State Representative Marjorie Decker of Cambridge filed Amendment #74. This is the main amendment that advocates are seeking, to address major flaws in the proposed legislation.
An updated fact sheet on Rep. Decker’s omnibus amendment can be found here: Amendment #74 fact sheet. The amendment addresses major concerns, including:
- The proposed requirement that more parents with disabilities engage in employment in order to receive benefits.
- The proposed requirement that parents prove that they have engaged in job search before receiving benefits (even though families may not have needed transportation or child care to do so).
- No longer allowing parents to count enrollment in a 4-year college or university towards the work/education requirements.
- The lack of reinvestment in education and training programs.
- Work requirements for women in their last trimester of pregnancy.
Representatives can be reached through the State House switchboard at 617-722-2000, or you can go here to search for your Representative based on your address.
CALL TODAY TO URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT #74. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
