Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Positive | Neutral |
The bill would amend Chapter 31 of the Human Resources Code by requiring nonrecipient parents of children who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) financial assistance to abide by work requirements and participate in employment programs. The bill would also require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to promulgate and adopt rules regarding the responsibilities of nonrecipient parents and the provision of financial assistance to two-parent families.
Currently, over 57 percent of the families in Texas who receive TANF financial assistance are exempt from work and work training requirements because their children, not the adults themselves, receive the aide.
The purpose of requiring nonrecipient parents to meet work requirements and participate in training programs is to spur low-income families toward financial self-sufficiency. We support SB 723 because it promotes our personal responsibility principle. To the extent that this accomplishes the goal of helping people become more self-sufficient this would also affirm our limited government principle.