Max Baucus: “as we have worked over the last 2 years to reauthorize the 1996 landmark welfare reform law, I have often talked with…”

“as we have worked over the last 2 years to reauthorize the 1996 landmark welfare reform law, I have often talked with pride about the welfare reform program in my own State of Montana. Montana was a welfare reform pioneer, embarking on reform under a waiver before 1996. We have continued to operate a program under that waiver and it has served us well. The number of Montana families receiving monthly welfare checks is down sharply since the early 1990s. Under the waiver program, Montana achieved a participation rate of 84 percent in fiscal year 2002, despite a struggling economy. Montana is a regular recipient of 'high performance' bonus awards, especially for the key criteria of moving welfare recipients quickly into jobs. An independent study by Abt Associates concluded that under Montana's program 'a Work First model has been implemented effectively in varied rural settings, including Indian reservations and remote areas' and that it reflects an 'efficient and successful' strategy. In other words, we're on the right track. However, the waiver expires on December 31. We would like it extended. Given our track record, we think it is only common sense to continue a successful model. Others, unfortunately, have opposed such an extension. It is an issue we expect to be debated during consideration of the full 5 year reauthorization bill.”