Welfare reform discussion sparks heated debate

The University community cannot turn a blind eye to a Pennsylvania welfare reform policy that takes effect today, a panel of speakers said last night. The individuals on the Welfare Reform Panel Discussion tried to convey their opposition to the policies to members of the University community. The panel focused on the effects the new welfare reform system will have, particularly on Philadelphia and the Penn community. The reform bill cuts off welfare benefits to those who have received assistance for the last two years without working to obtain a minimum 20-hour per week job or volunteer activity. The law was passed two years ago today in response to a 1996 federal welfare law requiring states to cut benefits to individuals who had been unemployed for at least two years. "These reforms are a dismantling of laws and you can't have dismantled laws without being affected by it," said Cheri Honkala, executive director of Kensington Welfare Rights Union. "If you think you aren't affected, you are wrong." Penn alumnus Don Stovall, executive director of Philadelphia County Assistance Office, replied to Honkala's criticisms of the reforms by emphasizing the numerous volunteer opportunities available, such as at area hospitals. But not all participants at the discussion saw volunteer jobs as a positive aspect of the reforms. "We house the [poor], we feed them and we are expected to employ them in volunteer positions too?" an audience member from the city shelter system said. Before Stovall could reply, Honkala interjected, "Those who don't become volunteers will create a cheap labor pool." She then went on to explain that this is already occurring with the layoffs of employees at hospitals. After these contentious statements, Social Work Professor Walter Palmer said, "This could be seen as a good thing. People will fight for change [in the welfare legislation] when they are being threatened." And panelists even discussed ways Penn students could become more active in helping the community. "Bring your brains and advocate on [the poor's] behalf," Stovall said. "Most importantly, be a mentor." Among the expected effects of the reforms: 50,000 children will be impacted and both day care and transportation for working parents will be less accessible. "If the issues discussed truly bother you, write letters to legislation because they said they don't get complaints," said Hannah Oakman, executive director of Personal Empowerment Now. "Even if we can't do a lot, we can do something." State Rep. Lawrence Curry said change comes with policymakers and urged the audience to "get involved in the political process." "Talk to church groups, light a fire under them," he added. Amidst the discussion about effecting change, second-year Education graduate student Tabitha Dell-Angelo was unsure of what kind of changes should be made. "What's the alternative to the reforms?" she asked Honkala. "I understand that welfare reform is a violation of human rights, but I'm not sure what you really want." Honkala responded that, "We are saying if you are going to throw thousands of people off welfare, you need to guarantee them jobs."