Mark Hatfield: “With the understanding that we had the blessings of all levels of Government, the Oregon Legislature passed a…”

“With the understanding that we had the blessings of all levels of Government, the Oregon Legislature passed a comprehensive welfare reform bill that became the basis for the Oregon option welfare reform waiver request. Oregon's JOBS Plus Program gives parents the opportunity to find substantive work with above-minimum wage pay and includes employer involvement. Employees earn a livable wage while learning valuable work skills. Oregon's attempt to reform welfare is designed to allow people the opportunity to work, thereby taking them off the welfare rolls. Through innovative program planning, Oregon has seen a decline in its welfare casework the last 2 years while facing increases in population. And I wish to repeat this. Oregon has had a decline with this experimental program in its welfare caseload the past 2 years while facing increases in population. With this waiver, we will be able to move further into that program of reform. On July 3, 1995, 9 months ago, Oregon submitted its waiver request to the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture. We then fell into the abyss. With Congressional welfare reform appearing possible, including changes that would allow Oregon to implement most of the options without waivers, action slowed down on all sides. I became very concerned that the rhetoric and the reality were incongruent.”