Tag: TANF

Maine Currents 2/22/17

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Contributor: John Greenman

Segment 1: Public hearings are being held this week on Governor LePage’s proposed 2018-2019 state budget, which would make dramatic cuts to several programs and services that serve some of Maine’s most vulnerable populations. Hospitals, municipalities, social services programs and clergy say they are already stretched beyond their capacities to serve Mainers who fall through the holes that already exist in Maine’s safety nets, and do not have the resources to deal with the consequences of the major cuts being proposed.
The public hearings are drawing overflow crowds to the statehouse. We take you there.

Segment 2: John Greenman reports back from 2 protests in Bangor today, held in conjunction with protests in Lewiston and Portland, calling on Sen. Susan Collins to hold a town hall meeting with her constituents.

Segment 3: A brief update on the developing story at Standing Rock in North Dakota. Standing Rock water defenders were given a deadline of 2pm Mountain time today to leave one of their encampments but some have vowed to stay and continue to resist the Dakota Access Pipeline.

RadioActive 4/10/14

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Program Topic: Waterville City Council supports federal minimum wage increase; the LePage administration’s attempts to restrict EBT card use, veto of Medicaid expansion bill

Key Discussion Points:
a) Last month, the Waterville City Council voted unanimously to support to an increase of the federal minimum wage to $10.10 and hour, and to send communications to elected representatives to support the Fair Minimum Wage Act, sponsored by Rep. Miller (D-CA) and Sen. Harkin (D-IA). We speak with the Mayor of Waterville.
b) The LePage administration is attempting to implement a change to include a photo id on EBT cards, which distribute funds for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Based on past experiences, low income advocates and federal officials are concerned this would have an undue impact in recipients. 223,891 Mainers hold EBT cards.
c) LePage vetoes a bill that would have expanded Medicaid coverage to 70,00 Mainers under the Affordable Care Act. This is the third time he’s vetoed such a measure.

Guests:
Mayor Karen Heck of Waterville
Chris Hastedt, Maine Equal Justice Partners, public policy director http://www.mejp.org/

http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Waterville_councilors_urge_federal_minimum_wage_increase_.html

http://www.raiseto1010.com/http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/gov_-lepage-has-little-to-show-from-fraud-hunt_2013-09-16.html

RadioActive 1/13/11

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Today we hear about a new study on who in Maine receives TANF – the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families- and why.

On Tuesday researchers, advocates and recipients of TANF will present a study titled “Families in Focus-Moving beyond Anecdotes : Lessons for Legislators from a 2010 Survey of TANF Recipients”. The LaPage administration has indicated state social services will be examined for cuts, and has expressed the intention to limit the time period a state resident can receive assistance. The Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative think tank working closely with the administration, has also taken target at the state’s poverty program recipients. Today we hear from Anna Hickes with Maine Equal Justice Partners and Sarah Standiford with the Maine Women’s Lobby.

What are the findings of the study “Families in Focus-Moving Beyond Anecdotes: Lessons for Legislators from a 2010 Survey of TANF Recipients” ? What are some concerns about the direction the LePage administration in poverty programs, including limiting the time someone can be on TANF? What are some of the experiences of individuals, particularly women and children, on TANF? What are common struggles?

For a copy of the report go to www.mejp.org