Political Quotes

“These tables show how 28 States would gain as a difference between what the Dole bill would give and what this amendment would provide. For the most part, many of these are States with a higher benefit level. These States have decided they were going to spend what they needed to spend to have a poor family be able to exist in their States. What I object to about the Dole bill is that a State is locked out because a State has had a high benefit level and a maintenance of effort and has been willing to provide for their people. Now, they are frozen out of the growth fund. California, the biggest State, with the most poor people: there is nothing in the growth fund for California. And the reason that is being given is, well, you do not deserve any money because you fund half of $607 a month from California taxpayers to support poor people. So, because California and these 27 other States have had a higher maintenance of effort, and said we are going to fund poor people, suddenly they are left out of any growth fund. There is no hold harmless. They are left out. They are locked out, and that is what I object to in this language. You can come to California, or any high cost-of-living State, and attempt to live. And it is very much tougher. This is the way the formula has been figured now for over a half century--based on a state match. The Hutchison formula is a stark change from that. But it is a penalty.…”