Gov. Paul LePage’s  launched a plan to prevent anyone with a felony drug conviction from collecting cash welfare benefits.

SNAP  is the food assistance program but TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, is a program that provides those families with cash to pay for bills or food.

In January, LePage and his administration started drug testing any TANF applicants who have had felony drug convictions within the past 20 years, but now it seems they'd like to up the ante.

 

Photo Credit: pinarlauridsen
Photo Credit: pinarlauridsen
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Not everyone was in support of this new proposal, stating that the bill could hurt children of those dealing with addiction by denying their parents benefits needed to provide food and shelter for them. And what of those who have worked hard to get clean?

Jack Comart from Maine Equal justice Partners also opposed the bill stating, “Regardless of the fact they’ve paid their debt to society, we’re still going to deny people assistance even though they’ve done everything we asked them to do. If we talk about hurting children, that’s the one thing we can do to hurt children.”

So what do you think? Are you in favor of LePage's new proposal or do you think banning someone from benefits because of past felony charges or mistakes is wrong?

 

 

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