WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Audio archives of spoken word broadcasts from Community Radio WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill (weru.org)
Producer/Host: Abbie Strout
Issue: Social and political issues that impact our sexual and reproductive health produced by WERU in collaboration with Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center – www.mabelwadsworth.org.
Program Topic: Lobbying for Maine Women
Key Discussion Points:
a) What does the Maine Women’s Lobby advocate for?
b) The good and the bad results of the latest legislative session.
c) The intersection of poverty and reproductive freedom.
Guest: Danna Hayes, Maine Women’s Lobby
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