MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - A plan that would require businesses to treat welfare recipients like other workers has support at the Capitol, but some of the bill's supporters don't think a critical department is really in support of it.
Rep. Quincy Troupe, D-St. Louis, is sponsoring the bill for the second straight year. Last year's bill was passed by the House, but later died in the Senate.
The proposal would allow former welfare workers such benefits as health insurance, safety and union membership. In addition, the plan makes it a crime to displace current employees in favor of those on welfare, who often are willing to work for less money.
Troupe said many groups are likely to support the bill, including members of organized labor and some Republicans.
But, he said, the Social Services Department, which would be heavily involved in carrying out the plan, doesn't want anything to do with it. Troupe said the bill offers an organized and responsible structure that clashes with the department's style.
"It makes them accountable to set up standards," he said. "They usually operate from the hip. They do anything they want."
The Social Services Department can't take an official stand, said Tom Jones, the department's associate director for welfare reform. Jones said the agency supports the main issues in Troupe's bill.
"We're in favor of any type of legislation that provides protection for workers," he said.
Still, Peter DeSimone, head of the Missouri Association for Social Welfare, said neither the Social Services Department nor lawmakers care enough about the problem.
"The Department of Social Services doesn't really want it," he said, adding, "There are many legislators that don't give a damn about poor people."
DeSimone said working welfare recipients need the same rights as everyone else, and this bill would help by allowing them to receive insurance and other benefits.
"It will impact employers," he said. "It will make them think this is more serious."
Brenda Griffith, secretary for Laborers Union No. 662 in Jefferson City, said her organization is in favor of anything that guarantees equal treatment for all qualified workers. She said union, non-union and welfare divisions should not affect a worker's standing. However, she said, the provision to protect existing workers is important.
"These people have been working and are established in their position, and should not be displaced by a welfare recipient," she said.
Another labor official, Herb Johnson, secretary-treasurer of Missouri AFL-CIO, said his organization supports the plan. Johnson said he plans to speak at the bill's committee hearing.
But not everyone thinks Troupe's plan is the best way to put everything on equal footing.
Rep. Pat Naeger, R-Perryville, said he agrees that the rights of welfare recipients should be respected like those of other workers, but Troupe's proposal contains too much government interference for his liking.
Naeger said the welfare-to-work laws were passed for a valid reason -- getting people into jobs -- and special rights for welfare recipients are not fair. He said he hopes a compromise on the issue can be reached because the bill legislates things that good businesses would never do.
"I think I would like to see the employer, for once, get the benefit of the doubt," he said. "I don't think you'd take one of your good workers and tell them to hit the streets."