ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN SUBMITS WORK FOR WELFARE REQUIREMENTS BILL

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN SUBMITS WORK FOR WELFARE REQUIREMENTS BILL

November 20, 2016

Assemblyman and Northern Nevada Whip, Jim Wheeler submitted a bill for the upcoming Nevada legislative session requiring able bodied welfare recipients to work at least 2o hours per week. The work can be at a nonprofit for homeless, for veterans, for a child care center, for an internship at a trade union or for school.

Wheeler says the bill is following the same plan as a similar law in Maine. According to reports in Forbes, “In October 2014, Maine began requiring about 16,000 able-bodied childless adults to work, train, or volunteer on at least a part-time basis in order to continue receiving food stamps. Adults who refused to comply with the new requirements would cycle off after three months of benefits.”

Today, Maine has only 1,500 able bodied childless people receiving welfare, saving Maine taxpayers up to $40 million a year. Nevada has seen a spike in welfare over the last 8 years, specifically food stamps.

Nevada Welfare Numbers

Number of People on Snap in 2008 – 162,743

Number of people on welfare in 2008- 21,796

Number of people on welfare (TANF) in 2015- 35,112

Number of people on Snap 2015- 406,840

Source New York Times

Source NV Department of Welfare

According to welfare census numbers, 59% of new welfare recipients are suspected of being illegal aliens. Nevada Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) saw an increase of 150% over just fives years under Gov. Sandoval.

There is no word on whether Gov. Sandoval will support the proposed welfare reforms submitted by Assemblyman Wheeler.

If you support Assemblyman Wheeler’s Welfare work requirements sign the petition now: