[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 44 (Thursday, March 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           WELFARE THAT WORKS

  (Mrs. WALDHOLTZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. WALDHOLTZ. Mr. Speaker, our current welfare system reminds me of 
the old adage about a certain road that was paved with good intentions. 
My home State of Utah decided to create its own new program that has 
gone from good intentions to good results.
  In order to create its own program, Utah had to get 48 Federal policy 
waivers, which allowed the State to design a program that fits our 
citizens, gives innovation a chance, and promotes learning and 
independence. Utah's program, SPED--the single parent employment 
demonstration project--moves the focus of welfare from income 
maintenance to increasing family income. And let me tell you, it works.
  In Salt Lake City alone, after 18 months under this new program, the 
average AFDC grant went from $352 per month down to $149 per month 
while the average family income has climbed from $697 per month to $795 
per month. And 35 percent of all participants have left the system due 
to increased earnings.
  This program works because it is based on the belief that the State 
is the most effective tool for providing these services. I hope 
Congress will give other States the flexibility to find programs that 
work for them as well as SPED works for Utah.


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