Here & Now

Dems. And Reps. Debate 'Dignity' Of Work In Public Hearing

Frederica Freyberg:

A public hearing at the state capitol stretched for hours midweek as people on both sides spoke out on the raft of special session bills related to new requirements for recipients of public benefits. Requirements like drug testing for those in public housing and making food stamp recipients work more hours in return for eligibility. Republican framers of the bill say the point of the changes is to get recipients off welfare and into work. Those opposed say it doesn’t always work as intended.

Lisa Subeck:

And certainly the idea that simply increasing the number of hours by ten is suddenly going to make people more successful, um, I — I'm looking for the evidence there. I feel like they are better evidence-based strategies we can use. And I’m wondering if you have evidence that that works.

Robin Vos:

So this is not just about kicking people off of benefits and your characterization which is what I think you’re trying to imply, it’s really about getting people the benefits of work, not the benefits of government dependence.