Vernon Ehlers: “I started political life as a county commissioner in Kent County, MI. We had a county welfare department that won a…”

“I started political life as a county commissioner in Kent County, MI. We had a county welfare department that won a number of awards for providing better services at lower cost than most counties across the United States. But most of the programs that we instituted required a waiver from Washington, and we had to fight and kick and scream in order to get those waivers. I thought it strange that we would have to fight with the Federal Government in order to save them money. I went to the State legislature, and once again I got involved in battles at the State level requesting waivers from the Federal Government to improve the welfare program and to provide better services at less cost. Once again I thought it strange: Why should we have to fight the Federal Government to save taxpayers money? Now that I am here, I strongly support giving the States and local communities more to say about operating their welfare programs, because I am convinced that they can do a better job at less cost than we have with our current system. I applaud the Republicans in the House for introducing a bill which will bring that about and make it possible for us to save money for the people of this country.”