MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Tuesday, December 2, 1997 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Best and Worst States for Welfare Reform

Washington, D.C. - While some states are having great success with welfare reform, many indolent states are putting fewer welfare recipients to work according to a report from the National Center for Policy Analysis. The report will be released Thursday, December 4, at a press conference during the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) States and Nation Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. The report finds that:

  • Wyoming has reduced its caseload by 73 percent, Wisconsin by 58 percent and Oregon by 52 percent.

  • New York reduced its caseload by only 15 percent, California by five percent and Washington D.C. by two percent.

  • Hawaii has actually increased its welfare roles by 36 percent in the last four-and-a-half years.

In the report, "Making Welfare Work: Lessons from the Best and Worst State Welfare Reform Programs," NCPA analysts looked at why some states are more successful than others in their welfare-to-work programs. The primary difference between successful and unsuccessful states seems to be the policies adopted by the states themselves. Less successful states tend to be the ones who are more reluctant to incorporate reform ideas that encourage welfare recipients to go to work quickly.

Dr. Merrill Matthews, NCPA vice president of domestic affairs, will be joined at the conference by NCPA Policy Chairman Pete du Pont, Wisconsin State Senator and ALEC State Chairman of Wisconsin Robert Welch, ALEC National Secretary and Oregon State Representative Carolyn Oakley and ALEC Representative Kristen Becker. For information call Joan Kirby at 202-220-3082.

WHO:

 Dr. Merrill Matthews
NCPA Vice President of Domestic Affairs

WHAT:

 Welfare Reform Press Conference

WHEN:

 12:15 p.m. (EST)

Thursday, December 4, 1997

WHERE:

 Foyer Grand Ballroom North/Central
Renaissance Hotel
999 9th Street NW
Washington, D.C.

INTERNET:

 Live audio coverage on NCPA's website: www.ncpa.org

# # # #

The National Center for Policy Analysis is a public policy research institute founded in 1983 and internationally known for its studies on public policy issues. The NCPA is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with an office in Washington, D.C.

For more information:
Katy Meaker Menges, Dallas, TX 972-386-6272
Joan Kirby, Washington, DC 202-220-3082
Internet: http://www.ncpa.org


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