Connie Mack: “the Hutchison formula has been inappropriately referred to as a ``supplemental'' grant to States. This is a misleading…”

“the Hutchison formula has been inappropriately referred to as a ``supplemental'' grant to States. This is a misleading characterization of the additional moneys provided in this legislation. It implies that certain States have been able to negotiate a sort of slush fund or bonus for themselves unfairly. In reality the Hutchison formula in the underlying legislation begins to chip away at historical inequities between States due to the Federal Government's present system of awarding AFDC moneys. This debate is and should be about equity. The Feinstein amendment not only undermines an honest attempt to provide some equity and parity between States but it does so in a way that in essence rewards States for increasing the number of people living in poverty each year. This policy, Mr. President, runs counter to the welfare reform bill's goal of encouraging States to get people off welfare and into work. Any incentives that we create to reward States for reducing their welfare caseloads would be nullified by Senator Feinstein's amendment. The Hutchison formula provides funds for States which have been historically below the national average of Federal welfare spending and at the same time experiencing an above average population growth. These qualifiers appropriately identify those States with the most need and begins to move those States, albeit modestly, toward parity.”