ALG to Obama: Put up or shut up on unemployment extensions

Feb. 6, 2012, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement urging Congress to restore unemployment benefits extensions back to 27 weeks:

"It's time for Obama to put up or shut up on unemployment benefits extensions up to 99 weeks. He wants to claim that the apparent drop in the jobless rate means the economy is turning a corner. If he really believes that the emergency is over, then it is time to rescind these extensions that have cost taxpayers an additional $275 billion since 2009.

"A failure by Congress to roll back this welfare program will be seen as an acknowledgement that the most recent jobs report is much weaker than Obama is suggesting.  4.7 million Americans who were a part of the labor force have simply given up on looking for work since Obama took office, which is artificially keeping the unemployment rate down. If those people were included, the real rate of unemployed working age adults would be 11.01 percent, and the underemployed would be 17.6 percent.

"Even if one were to look at the data honestly, 99 weeks of unemployment benefits have already run out for millions Americans anyway and the program should be repealed. The welfare state has failed to restore real growth to the economy.   

"The solution to the problem is not perpetual extensions of welfare, but for government to enact pro-growth policies that will have a job-creating effect.  These include rolling back the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world, undoing the harsh regulatory climate in health care, the environment, and energy, lifting restrictions on capital creation, and restoring sound money."

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Americans for Limited Government is a non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free market reforms, private property rights and core American liberties. For more information on ALG please call us at 703-383-0880 or visit our website at www.GetLiberty.org.

NH Council of Churches - Policy Alert: Protect TANF

The NH House Finance Committee next week will hear a bill that would limit financial assistance for poor families who have additional children while receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). 

 

This is a morality question. What happens when a family depending on TANF to get by has an infant who needs things that WIC or food stamps can't buy - bottles, pacifiers, diapers, crib sheets, car seat - but can't receive any additional TANF cash assistance to accommodate the infant's needs? Either the other children do without - Toothpaste and toilet paper? Heat? A home? Or the baby does without?  

 

According to the Fiscal Note on this bill, this law would affect fewer than 75 poor families a year in NH, who each receive an average of $72.50 a month in additional cash assistance when a newborn arrives. Implementing this law would cost the state $200,000 initially in systems eligibility adjustments. From there, the assumption is local welfare would take up the slack and filling the gaps. The problem hasn't been eliminated, the cost of meeting it just shifts to local property tax payers.  

 

If we can't find $72.50 a month for 75 poor families in 2012 to ensure their infants and children are safe, healthy, nourished and housed, it will say a lot about the state we have become.

House Finance Committee Members legislative email: <~HouseFinanceCommittee@leg.state.nh.us>

Individual Members (with links to contact info) at:

<http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H34>

Full text at:

<http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2012/HB1658.html>

HB1658-FN
Session Year 2012
Bill Title: limiting financial assistance for mothers who have additional children while receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
Public Hearing: HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, 01/12/2012 at 10:00 AM, Legislative Office Building, Rooms 210-211  

DNC - Which Mitt: Romney's Record as Governor

Today, in an interview with WKXL's Chris Ryan, Mitt Romney was asked about his lack of core values. Romney responded, "Well I think the best way for people to know what I believe in, what I stand for is to look at my record as Governor in Massachusetts."

Mitt Romney’s failed record as Governor is pretty clear: under his ‘leadership’ Massachusetts ranked 47^th out of 50 in the nation for job creation; he raised fees on everything from driver’s licenses to gun owners; took the opening steps toward a Cap & Trade system and established a program to provide free cars to welfare recipients.

ROMNEY ADMITTED HE “RAISED FEES ON ALL SORTS OF THINGS IN MASSACHUSETTS” PROPOSING NEARLY 100 HIMSELF

Romney: "We Raised Fees on All Sorts of Things in Massachusetts." ROMNEY: "We raised fees on all sorts of things in Massachusetts. Fees hadn't been touched, in some cases, for decades, and we said, look, we're going to raise the fees... we're not going to raise the fees on things that are broad based like driver's licenses and license plates because everybody gets hit with that. But on those things that are done by a minority of people and where the state provides a service, we did raise fees, yeah." [Howie Carr, 12/21/11]

Romney Budget Quadrupled Fee for Firearms Identification & License to Carry. "Also drawing criticism is quadrupling of fees charged to gun owners this year. Under the budget, fees will rise from $25 to $100 for both a firearms identification card and a license to carry firearms, which are required by state law. "In general, the government has failed to meet its obligations and now it's passing the buck," said Michael Yacino,  executive director of the Gun Owners Action League, which has opposed the fee increases. 'It just shows they don't have any answers.'" [Quincy Patriot-Ledger, 7/9/03] 

·         Factcheck.org: Romney’s Fee And Tax Increases Were “Between $740 And $750 Million Per Year.” “As we’ve noted before when the subject of Romney’s fee vs. tax increases has come up, the Massachusetts Department of Administration and Finance says that fee increases during Romney’s tenure added up to $260 million per year, with another $174 million raised from closing some corporate tax "loopholes." The independent Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation puts the revenue total of fee hikes and tax loophole-closings at between $740 and $750 million a year.” [Factcheck.org, 1/31/08]

·         2003: Romney Proposed Raising Nearly 100 State Fees Including Those On Driver’s Licenses, Bottled Beverages, And Public Health Testing. “Nearly 100 state fees, including those on bottled beverages, public health testing, and driver's licenses, would rise next year under Governor Mitt Romney's 2004 proposed budget, which was released yesterday. The administration estimates the fee increases, which must be approved by the state Legislature, would bring an additional $60 million in revenue to the cash-strapped state…Romney also said he would like to raise 12 motor-vehicle-related fees to generate $8.6 million. Motorcyclists would pay $40 for a new license instead of $34; while new - and often younger - drivers would see the price of a learner's permit double to $30…Fee increases at the Department of Public Health would generate the most new money for the state, $9.1 million. The fee changes include $6 million in hikes at state labs and hospitals, as well as a new $50 charge for tuberculosis tests and a $400 fee for those who test positive.” [Boston Globe, 2/27/03] 

ROMNEY TOOK THE OPENING STEPS TOWARD CAP AND TRADE FOR MASSACHUSETTS

2005: As Governor “Romney Took The Opening Steps Toward Joining A Cap-And-Trade Compact For Power Plants.”  “As governor in Massachusetts, Romney took the opening steps toward joining a cap-and-trade compact for power plants known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. But he pulled out of the program just before it formed in late 2005.” [Politico, 7/18/11]

·         2005: Romney Endorsed Regional Cap And Trade System, Saying "This Is A Great Thing For The Commonwealth ... We Can Effectively Create Incentives To Help Stimulate A Sector Of The Economy And At The Same Time Not Kill Jobs. ... I’m Convinced It Is Good Business." "Governor Mitt Romney signaled his support yesterday for a regional agreement among Northeastern states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite opposition from power companies and other business interests that have been lobbying the administration against the plan. In opening remarks to a clean-energy conference in Boston, Romney said the first-of-its-kind agreement, under which Massachusetts and eight other states could be required to cut power plant emissions by 2020, will not hurt the economy, as some have charged. He argued that it would spur businesses to develop clean -- and renewable-energy technology to market worldwide. ‘This is a great thing for the Commonwealth,’ Romney said, his strongest endorsement of the pact to date. ‘We can effectively create incentives to help stimulate a sector of the economy and at the same time not kill jobs.’... Romney said yesterday that he had some concerns about the agreement, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but he endorsed this and other clean-energy initiatives by saying they would stimulate the development of technology that Massachusetts companies could sell to other states and countries, as the emphasis on climate change grows. ‘I’m convinced it is good business,’ Romney said." [Boston Globe, 11/8/05]

·         Romney In 2003: "Now Is The Time To Take Action Toward Climate Protection ... Our Joint Work To Create A Flexible Market-Based Regional Cap And Trade System Could Serve As An Effective Approach To Meeting These Goals.” “In another nod to environmentalists, Gov. Mitt Romney has joined with New York Gov. George Pataki in a plan to limit greenhouse gases from Northeast power plants. In a July 21 letter to Mr. Pataki, Mr. Romney acknowledged that carbon dioxide emissions are harming the environment and agreed to help design a regional emissions cap for power generating plants. Mr. Pataki last spring invited New England and mid-Atlantic state governors to spend two years on a plan to bring about significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. ‘I concur that climate change is beginning to affect our natural resources and that now is the time to take action toward climate protection,’ the governor wrote. ‘I share your interest in ensuring that the economic and security contributions made by our electricity generating system are not negated by the impact of emissions from that system on the health of our citizens,’ he continued… ‘Our joint work to create a flexible market-based regional cap and trade system could serve as an effective approach to meeting these goals,’ Mr. Romney wrote in the letter.” [Telegram & Gazette [Worcester, MA], 8/6/03]

ROMNEY ESTABLISHED A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED FREE CARS TO WELFARE RECIPIENTS

Romney’s Department Of Transitional Assistance Announced The Establishment Of A Car Ownership Program To Provide Automobiles To TAFDC Recipients. “A new transportation benefit has been added to the menu of benefits available to recipients through TransAction Associates.  The Department, in combination with TransAction Associates, has established a Car Ownership Program to provide automobiles to certain TAFDC recipients.  TransAction Associates has contracted with the Good News Garage to provide this service.” [Field Operations Memo, Department Of Transitional Assistance, 5/22/06]

Romney Defended Program “That Handed Out Free Wheels To Massachusetts Welfare Recipients — Including State-Funded Insurance And AAA Memberships.” “GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s camp is defending a controversial program he created that handed out free wheels to Massachusetts welfare recipients — including state-funded insurance and AAA memberships — even as the plan drew fire from conservatives the former Bay State governor is wooing. ‘Over 80 percent of participants have moved off of welfare,’ said Romney spokeswoman Gail Gitcho.” [Boston Herald, 10/18/11]

• Massachusetts Paid For “One Year’s Insurance, Inspection, Excise Tax, Title, Registration, Repairs And A AAA Membership” For Cars Donated To Welfare Recipients. “Under Romney’s Car Ownership Program, the state paid out one year’s insurance, inspection, excise tax, title, registration, repairs and a AAA membership for cars that were donated to welfare recipients.” [Boston Herald, 10/18/11]

NH DHHS Announces Recent Welfare Fraud Convictions; Releases Data on Welfare Fraud Cases

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS), Special Investigations Unit (SI) is announcing convictions in two

recent welfare fraud cases. Lois Thomas of Manchester was recently

convicted of two counts of welfare fraud. Thomas was found guilty of

receiving public assistance for her daughter while her daughter was not a

household member as well as failure to report real estate and other

resources. Thomas was sentenced to one year in the Merrimack County House

of Corrections. Restitution was ordered in the amount of $44,292.00.



Lisa Dodge of Keene was recently convicted of two counts of welfare fraud

in Cheshire County Superior Court. Dodge was convicted of one count of

welfare fraud, along with one count of theft by unauthorized taking. Dodge

failed to report her husband as a household member to the DHHS. Dodge was

sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years on the welfare fraud charge. That sentence was

suspended. She was also sentenced to twelve months on the theft charge

with six months suspended. The court has ordered her to pay $30,521.53 in

restitution.



Over the first nine months of State Fiscal Year 2011 (July 1, 2010 – March

30, 2011) 39 individuals were convicted of welfare fraud. During this time

an additional 24 cases of welfare fraud have been referred to New Hampshire

county attorneys for prosecution.


NH Council of Churches - Are You Ready to Rally For NH This Thursday?

Rally For New Hampshire      Thursday, March 31     12 noon - 1 pm   Statehouse Lawn   Please answer the call --  raise your voice for  a moral state budget!



The NH House budget containing devastating cuts to our social safety net will be on its way to the Senate by week's end. It is CRITICAL to raise our collective voices this Thursday at the statehouse! 

Our member denominations, leaders, clergy and laity, will join together in faithful unity under the banner of the NH Council of Churches at Thursday's rally, beginning at 12 noon. 

Please look for our group gathered on the Park Street side of the statehouse under the NHCC banner.

LOGISTICS UPDATE: Please note that parking near the statehouse will be limited. Bus transportation, parking and shuttle info is available here or the Rally for New Hampshire event Facebook page, linked here.  

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For Pass-Along Through Your 

Electronic Messaging Systems:

Rally for NH: March 31, noon - 1 pm, NH Statehouse, 107 N. Main St., Concord. Please speak up for those who cannot! The NH House is expected to pass a budget on March 31 that will make devastating cuts. These will affect all of us, but most especially our most vulnerable neighbors. As church members know well, churches are always ready to partner with government and other entities at all levels to help meet needs in our community. But churches can't replace government. Please attend and share news of this rally with others. For information about transportation, parking and other details, see www.nhcares.net.

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Why Rally Thursday?

Faith communities daily live out our commitments through service to the vulnerable, but our resources supplement, and do not replace the obligation of the state. 

All non-profit and faith-based organizations in NH already experience severe strain by this recession and the increased need it brings. The resources and the ability of individuals, their families and faith- and community-based organizations are stretched to the limit already.  The Senate's responsibility to craft a new budget that does the least harm to our oldest, youngest, poorest, disabled can get us through these very difficult fiscal times for state government.

As pastors, clergy and laity well know, those who knock at the door of our churches are facing significant personal challenges, whether joblessness, mental or physical health conditions, or other challenges some just cannot fathom. In most cases, they are men and women who worked their entire adult lives, but have found themselves unable to take care of their family. People we serve at our church doors, food pantries and in other ways simply and sincerely want a chance to get back on their feet.

But this budget creates undue hardship and hopelessness for so many in our communities and churches, including the chronically mentally ill and the developmentally disabled who are threatened by new waiting lists for services. Also threatened are parents who work but need subsidies to help them find quality care for their children. 

Perhaps most astonishing is that this budget turns away entire populations and tells them there are no scraps left from our table of bounty to sustain them in troubled times. Tragically, veterans since 9/11 are the fastest growing population in the homeless shelters; our youngest returning veterans have the highest unemployment numbers by far in our already stressed economy. Enlisted men and women, some of whom return from war changed in body and spirit and in need of medical, psychological, and social support, will find our communities are not equipped to help them and their families heal. 

Your participation for one hour on Thursday could enlighten Senate budget-writers who will hear your cry, and read your postcards that will be handed out, collected and delivered to their offices. 

There will surely be more to do after this major event, but we will have tremendous lift-off if we stand together against these painful cuts now.

Thank you for your continued vigilance and dedication to economic justice in New Hampshire.