California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Wants to "Terminate" Some of State's Welfare

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to nudge people off of welfare and back into the workforce. He had proposed a cut of nearly $500 million next year from welfare programs. He also wants to set forth new rules to prompt the recipients to go back to work.

Schwarzenegger has suggested two changes that would save millions. First, he suggests that in his state budget, he would not grant a cost of living increase to welfare recipients next year; and secondly, he would end grants to children with continuously unemployed parents, those who do not enter return to work programs. Those two changes alone would save the state $465 million next year.

Those in opposition to his ideas call it a bad way to begin his bipartisan agenda; they also feel that the actions are risky and would force tens of thousands of children into possible homelessness.

Supporters of the plan state that California is behind in comparison to other states in regard to welfare reform, getting people back to work and off of public assistance. Not to mention, new government mandates would impose sanctions if improvement isn't made. If nothing is done, the state will be looking at a $5.5 billion dollar deficit. The state will be ordered to pay penalties of up to $150 million dollars next year if their welfare recipients do not meet criteria set forth by new federal guidelines; for instance, and individual has to work at least a certain number of hours per week to be eligible for assistance. Only about 25% of the people on the welfare roles of California meet the criteria to retain their eligibility.

Last year, the state's welfare program cost California tax payers $5 billion dollars. Much of that money went to provide cash to over 500,000 families that have incomes insufficient for meeting the costs of basic living expenses.