Joyce Krawiec serves in the North Carolina Senate. She represents Davie County and Forsyth County, NC. Christian, wife, mother, small business owner, and conservative.
Every job offers dignity and value to those working. There is great honor and a sense of accomplishment when working and doing a good job. When I look out at my patio with all the beautiful flowers growing there, I feel great pride. I smile and think, with my very own hands, I paid somebody to do that. It’s a wonderful feeling.
I can’t for the life of me understand why the government is so willing to hand out freebies and is so opposed to adding work requirements as a condition. The feds refuse to allow states to put such requirements as a condition of receiving benefits, in many cases.
To Bill Clinton’s credit, he allowed work requirements for the food stamp program. But at the same time a loophole was created. If someone qualifies for one welfare program, they may be “deemed eligible for other benefits.” The idea was to prevent duplication. On its face, this sounds reasonable. My contention is that this creation is doing exactly what it was meant to do. Add more and more people to the welfare rolls. There are millions of people on the food stamp program who do not qualify but because of these loopholes they are “deemed eligible.”
The Obama administration encouraged states to take advantage of this “loophole” and call almost anything a “welfare benefit.” Therefore, anyone who receives a “benefit”, even if that benefit is a welfare brochure or the number to a toll-free hotline, becomes eligible for food stamps. It is estimated that more than 5 million people who are not eligible under federal guidelines, receive food stamps anyway.
I don’t know of anyone who is opposed to providing for the truly needy. But when rich folks can collect these benefits, it jeopardizes benefits to those who really need help.
Many states have repeatedly tried to add work requirements to other benefit programs, Medicaid for example. These requirements only affect able bodied people between 18-59 without any children. The requirement is only 20 hours per week. The recipient can work, volunteer, or seek educational training. This should be a “no brainer.” If an enrollee or a family member have health vulnerabilities, they can apply for an exemption. This isn’t good enough. It doesn’t pass muster with the federal government, and in some cases, courts have also ruled against the requirement.
States that have investigated the use of EBT cards, Food Stamps, have found that some millionaires are collecting benefits. Several big lottery winners were collecting benefits as well. They also found that some folks, collecting benefits did not even live in their states and even some dead people were receiving benefits.
The Trump administration promoted waivers, at the request of the individual states, to allow for work requirements. Some states did receive waivers and initiated such programs with success. The Biden administration doesn’t think work should be required. Don’t be surprised if these waivers are repealed and no longer allowed.
Most voters think work requirements are a great idea. Polls show that 82% of all voters approve of these requirements. Ninety two percent of Republicans and 70% of Democrats like the idea. Those are convincing margins.
Work shortages are a tremendous problem currently. Everywhere one goes, you see the “Now Hiring” signs. Ads are all over the place and employers are desperate for workers. This would be the perfect time to implement these requirements and get able bodied people into the workforce.
Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians 3:10 has this to say. “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command. If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
Of course, work requirements for any reason were suspended during the Covid Pandemic. Hopefully, the emergency order will end, at some point, and perhaps the folks on food stamps can get to work and take these jobs that employees are so anxious to fill.
I attended a conference with legislators from several other states. I learned that there are states who track where purchases are made with EBT cards. I was appalled at their findings. The number one place in the country where these cards are used is in and around Disney World.
I represent many folks in District 31, who will never be able to take their families to Disney World. It’s shameful that folks paying the taxes so others can enjoy this luxury, will never be able to enjoy it themselves.
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Joyce Krawiec serves in the North Carolina Senate. She represents Davie County and Forsyth County, NC. Christian, wife, mother, small business owner, and conservative.