Susan Davis: “I rise in support today of this important Democratic substitute. Mr. Speaker, as both a former social worker and a…”

“I rise in support today of this important Democratic substitute. Mr. Speaker, as both a former social worker and a former legislator in the California State Assembly, I understand firsthand the importance and the significance of State flexibility in program implementation. In particular, I would like to emphasize the importance of increasing access to educational and training opportunities for welfare recipients. We have heard a lot today about the need for State flexibility, and I can tell you from my personal experience serving in the State legislature that when the 1996 welfare reform law went into effect, that allowing State and localities the room to tailor programs in their regions and communities is absolutely vital to the overall success of the program. Under the TANF structure that was implemented in 1996, California was permitted creativity in program design and implementation to best meet the needs of our welfare recipients. The State legislature took advantage of this flexibility by creating a structure that rewarded work, included more opportunities for education and allowed counties to adapt the program to local economic needs and realities. Please, a one-size-fits-all agenda does not fit for all of Californians or all Michiganites or Pennsylvanians. We need more flexibility.”