Works In Progress - July 2003 - Community Response to Welfare Cuts

Money within the state budget is seeing another shift as the legislative session draws to a close. Although projections for the community are often vague, one change deemed necessary by the governing forces, is an alteration to the amount of aid set aside for the poor. In response to the steady increase of welfare cases, Gov. Locke anticipates making a 6% case reduction. To do so, a number of proposals have been outlined:

* Full family sanctions, which would entail the threat of abolishing aid for an entire family not just the individual parent or parents. This would also effectively negate any type of child safety net.

* Institute a thirty-day waiting period during which one would be required to perform Job Search, as well as check-in daily with Work Source before actually receiving ANY aid.

* NO exemptions to time limit. (For example, aid to families with differently abled children would still be cut in accordance to the five-year limit.

Responding to these proposals, on the 30th of May, approximately 40 people congregated in front of Governor Locke's office on Capitol campus to voice frustrations concerning the state's inability to recognize Washington's families. With the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition (WROC) offering a little guidance, folks shared information as well as personal stories concerning interactions with the Department of Social and Health Service (DSHS) and the welfare system. The group then proceeded to walk into Locke's office. Each individual pulled off a number from around their neck which intended to represent that recipients of welfare are people and not simply numbers, offering said number as well as written comments to those working in Locke's office. Although he was sighted, a personal chat with Locke did not occur. It is the hope of WROC and its allies that the administration will recognize the consequences of not properly representing Washington's low-income families.