House Republicans are kicking off the new year with a call for making a series of reforms to the welfare system with an eye toward moving more people off government dependency and becoming self-sufficient.

"We must assure a safety net is there for those who truly need it while restoring the dignity of work," said Rep. Mike Tobash, R-Schuylkill County, at a Capitol news conference on Tuesday. "That will help Pennsylvanians realize their potential and achieve independence."

He and others are offering a package of 20 or so bill aimed at changing the rules on various human service programs.

Among the changes they are suggesting be made are: establishing a 48-month lifetime limit on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, requiring a photograph of the welfare recipients on their Electronic Benefit Transfer card, and halting public assistance for individuals not in compliance with Megan's Law (sex offender) reporting requirements.

Now is the time to move on making these changes when the economy is growing and employers are interested in hiring, Tobash said.

While he and others said repeatedly their motivation is to change the system to encourage able-bodied people to move off welfare rolls and earn a living, fiscal reasons also are driving them.

Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Luzerne County, said early ballpark estimates suggest the package of 20 or so welfare reform bills could free up as much as $210 million in the state budget for use in other areas.

"Welfare expenditures have become one of the most expensive items in the state budget," Kaufer said.

It was noted during the news conference that 40 cents of every dollar the state spends goes to pay for human service programs for a total this year of $12.2 billion. When combined with federal dollars that Pennsylvania receives for these programs, that swells to $21.3 billion.

A spokesman for Gov. Tom Wolf said they will review the package of bills but noted the governor's goal is to help people gain skills to acquire good-paying jobs and move

toward independence while maintaining safety net programs.



"Governor Wolf has consistently voiced his strong opposition to any legislative changes that could have widespread and potentially life-changing effects on the health and well-being of millions of Pennsylvanians," said spokesman J.J. Abbott.

"Seniors, people with disabilities, individuals suffering from substance use disorder, and low-income working families need our support and assistance, not having their lives be made even more difficult by politicians in Harrisburg."

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre County, said at hearings the House Republican Policy Committee held throughout last year, they heard stories from employers who spoke of an inability to find people who want to work, who show up on time and can pass a drug test.

He said they also heard about unintended consequences of the welfare system that discourages people from finding work as well as individuals who take advantage of the programs that Pennsylvania offers, winning the state the reputation of being one of the most generous in the nation.

"These safety nets were created not to become a way of life but to help people out of poverty," Benninghoff said. "These safety nets are now being abused."

Other bills being offered or proposed include:

Barring able-bodied adults (defined as those who are not senior citizens or have children or who are disabled) from qualifying for

Creating an interstate compact with surrounding states to ensure an individual is only receiving benefits from the state where they reside.

Cutting off public assistance, except for medical assistance, if a child is truant.

Prohibiting individuals from

Establishing a

Requiring the state to

The House Republicans, who gathered for the news conference as well as others in their caucus, are interested in working with their Democratic colleagues as well as Gov. Tom Wolf, on passing some of the proposed reforms, Tobash said.

"I'm not sure all these bills get across the finish line but I'm happy that all these members are engaged to really start to turn the tide on this," he said.

*This post has been updated to include a statement from Gov. Tom Wolf's spokesman.