Thompson Explains Welfare Policies

Welfare reform efforts in the state of Wisconsin have met with remarkable success in moving welfare recipients to work, Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson told an audience of nearly 125 at an Institute of Politics speech at the Arco Forum last night.

Thompson, a Republican, described to audience members his now-famous "Wisconsin Works" welfare reform program (W-2), which was first implemented earlier this year.

W-2 and its 1995 predecessor, "Work Not Welfare" have been used as models for welfare reformers nationwide.

Thompson's programs have sought to encourage welfare recipients, in particular welfare mothers, to work.

To this end, Thompson ended the welfare entitlement system and replaced it with one that spends significant amounts of money every year equipping welfare mothers with the resources to seek employment.

W-2 provides health care, day care for children, vocational training and transportation to those in the program.

Since Thompson's reforms were implemented, the number of people on welfare in Wisconsin has decreased by 92 percent while the unemployment rate has fallen to 2.8 percent, the lowest rate in 30 years.

"I'm proud of W-2," Thompson said. "[It demonstrates] the power of hope and self-sufficiency."

In a question-and-answer period following Thompson's speech, one audience member asked whether Wisconsin's system has been able to help individuals who many social programs fail to reach.

Thompson answered by stressing that with the welfare rolls already down caseworkers are better able to address the individual needs of clients.

Another audience member inquired about what role the federal government should play in welfare.

In response, Thompson called for a federal crackdown on fathers who fail to pay child support and attempt to escape their responsibilities by crossing state lines.

Brian C. Grech '03, who attended the speech, said he was impressed with most of Thompson's remarks, but questioned applying W-2 to other states.

"It might not work in a state like California because the poverty problem is more complex there and poverty is seen in greater numbers," Grech said.