skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, January 27, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump expected to sign executive orders to reshape military including ban on transgender troops; New Michigan laws tackle disparities in maternal health care; Report highlights how Alabama can unlock rural infrastructure, broadband; Ohio communities look to update water systems.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

President Trump's border czar says he supports ICE raids in schools, churches. Colombia's president says his government won't accept US immigrant deportation flights. And Vice President JD Vance defends Trump's Jan. 6 pardons.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Alaskans slither out of the winter blues at the Cordova Iceworm Festival, Trump's energy plans will impact rural folks, legislation in Virginia aims to ensure rural communities have EV charging stations, and BIPOC women retreat to a retreat.

Do work requirements 'work' to keep people out of poverty?

play audio
Play

Monday, April 15, 2024   

Members of the U.S. House Work and Welfare Subcommittee came to Illinois this month to drum up support for work requirements for anyone seeking public assistance.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Chicago, held a field hearing on what they called the "Dignity of Work," stressing the importance of employment as a solution to lift people out of poverty.

Nearly 12% of Illinois residents live below the federal poverty line - LaHood said at the hearing that teamwork is needed to help more of them find jobs.

"Whether it's through churches, nonprofits, private foundations or government programs," said LaHood, "when providing relief and assistance to those in need, we should be exploring every possibility to promote work as the surest pathway out of poverty."

But the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities points out that most working-age adults who receive assistance like Medicaid or SNAP are already working - their jobs don't pay enough to meet basic household expenses.

Others are dealing with child care or elder care, have health issues, or are between jobs and need assistance only temporarily.

Testimony at the hearing included multiple examples of people who were able to become self-sustaining with help from the federal programs.

Kristy Schofield, now the director of Homeless and Housing at Dream Center Peoria, said she was a single mother of two and living in her car before reaching out for help.

She said these programs are a godsend for someone who has lost hope.

"These programs give our guests an opportunity to work - and with that, accomplish and achieve," said Schofield, "thereby gaining that self-esteem and belief in themselves, and lowering the chance that they will live in poverty."

Congressman LaHood said, "Tying federal benefits to the expectation of work is not a punishment."

He cited an Axios-Ipsos poll out last year that found growing support for making people look for work if they want public assistance - including 80% of Republicans, 66% of Independents, and 49% of Democrats.



get more stories like this via email
more stories
Extreme weather reduces volunteer numbers, increasing challenges for shelters. Volunteers saved the St. Louis Loaves and Fishes shelter $65,000 in overhead costs last year. (kuarmungadd/Adobe/Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

The recent cold snap in St. Louis has led to a surge in demand for homeless shelters, while donations have dwindled and shelters are calling on the …


Environment

play sound

Georgia is the nation's top forestry state, grappling with overproduction and the aftermath of severe storms which damaged timber supplies. Industry …

play sound

A new report highlighted how regional commissions are helping improve infrastructure in rural America. According to the Brookings Institution…


More than 20 groups have signed a letter to Connecticut's General Assembly calling on lawmakers to strengthen the state's immigration law, the Trust Act. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A coalition of Connecticut advocates wants lawmakers to strengthen the state's immigration law. Lawmakers have discussed bolstering the Trust Act …

Social Issues

play sound

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2026 education budget proposal changes school funding, and some critics say it's unfair. The formula hasn't changed in …

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated he wants to establish criminal penalties for "illegal entry" in the state. (Pixabay)

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session to advance his immigration agenda in Florida, which is closely aligned with President …

Social Issues

play sound

Faith leaders nationwide are pushing back against President Donald Trump's assertion that churches are no longer considered safe spaces for undocument…

Health and Wellness

play sound

The Episcopal Health Foundation wants Texas lawmakers to make health a priority during this legislative session. The nonprofit focuses on the …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021