LITTLE ROCK — A legislative committee has endorsed an effort to impose new limits on how welfare benefits are spent in Arkansas, despite criticism from Democrats and advocates who call the new restrictions unnecessary.
The Joint Budget Committee voted 34-13 Tuesday and advanced the proposal requiring the state to seek a waiver from the federal government to place the restrictions on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. It was added to the budget for the Department of Workforce Services and now heads to the House for a vote.
The proposal by Republican Rep. Jim Dotson is aimed at restricting TANF benefits to being used for food, clothing, housing, utilities, child care and incidentals. It also requires the state to seek a restriction on using TANF benefits to withdraw cash.
Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.